SG YouTube influencer Dee Kosh pleads guilty to sexual offences

Former DJ and prominent YouTube star, Darryl Ian Koshy, better known as Dee Kosh, has pleaded guilty to three of the seven charges against him. Koshy admitted to attempting to procure an indecent act from a young person, communicating with a minor to obtain sexual services, and making an obscene film. 

Koshy is currently facing a total of seven charges in the courts. Three of these charged are with regards to communicating with a minor under the age of 18 for sexual services, one count of sexually exploiting a minor under the age of 18, and three counts for possessing and making obscene videos of minors. These acts are said to have been performed from 2017 to 2020.

According to multiple sources, including The Straits Times (ST) and CNA, the four other charges will be taken into consideration during Koshy's sentencing. He will also undergo a psychiatric examination at the Institute of Mental Health to assess whether he has a paedophilic disorder and his risk of reoffending.

For each count of offering cash to a youngster below 18 in exchange for sexual services, Koshy can face a jail term of up to two years and fined, ST reported. For the attempted sexual exploitation of a young person, he can also face a jail term of up to five years, a SG$10,000 fine, or both. 

The allegations around Koshy first emerged in August last year, which said that he was sexually grooming minors, paying for sex, as well as misusing his talent management business. Koshy came under fire as multiple people accused him of sexual harassment. Following the news, Koshy published a public apology on his social media channels stating that he would assume partial responsibility of the incident, but denied having any sexual relations with any minor.

Prior to the scandal, Koshy started his Youtube Channel in 2011, before rising to fame as a radio DJ in 987FM and Power 98FM. Koshy is known to have worked with major brands such as Huawei, Lenovo, Shoppee, PVP Esports, KFC and Premium Bandai throughout his career. However, during the period, KFC, PVP Esports and Lenovo all distanced themselves from the influencer.

Night Owl Cinematics also released a statement then that they would be parting ways with Koshy from all engagement of the brand after news of his sexual allegations, while Power 98FM departed ways with Koshy and released a statement saying then that it "does not tolerate any form of harassment".

Related articles:
Former DJ and influencer Dee Kosh faces charges of sexual exploitation of minors
Night Owl Cinematics puts collaborations with Dee Kosh on hold indefinitely
More brands distance from Dee Kosh in light of sexual allegations
Radio station POWER 98 distances from Dee Kosh after sexual allegations