Prosecution files appeal against City Harvest sentences

THE Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) said on Monday that the prosecution has filed the Petition of Appeal against sentences imposed on City Harvest Church (CHC) founder Kong Hee and five others.

"The prosecution will proceed with the appeal against the sentences imposed on the six accused persons, and we have accordingly filed our Petition of Appeal on Jan 15, 2016," an AGC spokesman said.

The AGC is of the view that the sentences imposed on the six accused persons were "manifestly inadequate, in all the circumstances of the case", and wants harsher punishment.

Kong and five others were found guilty of misusing church funds to the tune of millions of dollars, in a bid to prop up the music career of Sun Ho, who is Kong's wife.

Kong was handed the heaviest sentence of eight years' imprisonment; former CHC fund manager Chew Eng Han, 55, was given a six-year term; deputy senior pastor Tan Ye Peng, 42, received 5-1/2 years; ex-CHC finance manager Serina Wee, 38, got five years; former CHC committee member John Lam, 47, was jailed three years, and ex-CHC finance manager Sharon Tan, 40, received the lightest sentence of 21 months.

The six accused persons had also filed their notices of appeal against both conviction and sentences in December, indicating to the court that they intend to appeal.

For all our coverage of the City Harvest trial: bt.sg/CHCtrial