Outcome of Mr Ding's case

Updates on William Ding's case.
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Teacher convicted of molesting students
By Valarie Tan, Channel NewsAsia Posted: 16 March 2007 2219 hrs

SINGAPORE: A teacher at an all-boys secondary school has been found guilty of molesting his students. 35-year-old William Ding was convicted on three of the nine charges faced.
But sentencing has been postponed for three weeks for the defence to prepare a mitigation plea.
Ding had been accused of molesting four boys, aged between 12 and 14, from 2001 to 2005.
Delivering the verdict on Friday, District Judge Jasbendar Kaur said it was necessary to subject all evidence to careful scrutiny. This was because there were no other witnesses present other than the accused and the victims during the time of the alleged incidents. The court also noted the young age of the victims and their ability to give reliable testimony.
Things looked well for Ding when he was acquitted of the first six outrage-of-modesty charges, with a yelp of "yes" among his supporters. But when he was convicted of the last three charges, there were audible sighs of disappointment and some of his supporters shed tears.
Ding remained expressionless when the verdict was read, but later spoke to his dozens of supporters outside the courtroom after judgement was passed. He thanked them for their support and told them he was "at peace with himself", adding that he would not give up the fight for justice.
The supporters surrounded Ding as they walked out of the courtroom together to shield him from cameras. Speaking to the media after the verdict, the parent of one of the victims said he was glad justice was served.
Ding, who is out on bail, can be fined, caned or jailed for up to two years for each of the convicted charges.