Singer sentenced to two years in jail for having sex with minor
Ekkarat
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Rock singer Ekkarat " Dak" Wongchalard was given a two-year suspended jail term on Wednesday for having sex with a girl under 18 years old.
The Criminal Court set a condition that he contribute to society by producing two songs for youths to help fight drugs.Ekkarat, who sings with Big Ass band, was initially sentenced to two years imprisonment and a fine of Bt20,000, but his confession prompted the court to lower the punishment to one and a half years in jail, which was then suspended for two years, and reduce the fine to Bt15,000. The charge came to light following rumour that Ekkarat was the father of a child by a 17 year-old model identified as Fai (not her real name). Although the DNA test result showed he was not the father, charges of underage rape were laid against him. The lawsuit said Ekkarat had taken Fai - then 15 years old - away from her mother between December 2003 and April 2005 and had sexual relations with her on many occasions. He had no intention of marrying her. He confessed during his court trial that he had had sexual relations with the girl but that he did not know her age. The court found that his claim was not backed by any evidence. Ekkarat asked the court to give him a light sentence and a suspended jail term. He vowed to produce songs to fight drugs and other vices for his album to be released this year. The court noted Ekkarat had never been convicted of any crime worthy of a jail term and the plaintiffs had given testimony in his favour. It ruled that imprisonment would not do any good. It also ruled that he occasionally join youth antidrug activities. His first probation report would be on June 18. Ekkarat said outside the court that he believed in the justice system and accepted the ruling. He said he would learn the lessons from his behaviour and try to go forward in life. He said he was willing to assist Fai and her son if they were in trouble and in need of help. The Nation
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