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Prosecutors demand 12 year sentence for Singapore pastor who stole $50 million in church funds

by Antony Bushfield

City Harvest Church founder Kong Hee was found guilty in October of taking a sum of money thought to have been $24 million from the church to bank role his wife's music career.

The 51-year-old was found guilty with five other church leaders of stealing 24 million Singapore dollars (around £11 million).

The State Court also found that the leaders used another 26 million dollars (around £12 million) to hide the first embezzlement from auditors.

Straits Times, a newspaper in Singapore, said it had learnt that the Public Prosecutor gave a written submission to the judge urging the pastor to be jailed for 12 years.

It's claimed a similar sentence was recommended for the five others found guilty.

They will appear again in court on 20 November but it's unlikely sentencing will take place.

Kong's lawyer, Jason Chan, told the newspaper: "I think it's likely (for Kong to appeal) but I can't confirm right now, realistically we have to see what happens on Friday.

"I am standing by my defence and what I testified during the trial, and will make an appeal."

The sentence request was excessive, defence lawyers told The Straits Times.

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