Woman, 19, charged with rape of boy aged 12

"She readily admitted that she had sex with the boy, cooperated with us throughout the investigation and expressed regret for her actions."

Yeh Ya-ting, Taipei prosecutor

A 19-year-old girl was indicted yesterday for rape after reportedly having sex with a 12-year-old boy three times last July and August.

According to Taipei Prosecutor Yeh Ya-ting's (葉雅婷) indictment, Hsiung Hsiao-yi (熊孝怡) and the boy lived in the same residential community for retired servicemen and their families -- and had sex with the boy on three occasions late in the evening in alleys of the community.

"Hsiung violated Article 227-1 of the Criminal Code. However, she readily admitted that she had sex with the boy, cooperated with us throughout the investigation and expressed regret for her actions. As a result, I hereby ask your honor not to give her a long sentence," Yeh said in her indictment.

Yeh did not suggest a specific sentence length.

Article 227-1 says, "A person who has carnal relations with a person who has completed the 14th but not the 16th year of age shall be punished with imprisonment for not less than one and not more than seven years."

Officials said their investigation showed that Hsiung did not rape the boy since she did not force him to have sex. Under the Criminal Code, it is illegal to have sex with a teenager.

Hsiung said in her statement that she had a boyfriend but she turned to the youngster after watching adult videos at home when her boyfriend was not around. She said she felt so aroused that she could not control herself, so she invited the boy to have sex with her.

The boy was reportedly tall for his age.

According to reporters who tried to interview him last August when the case first broke, the boy was 167.6cm or 170cm.

Neighbors saw the pair having intercourse and told the boy's parents, who notified the police.

The boy and his family have moved out of the community and the parents have decided to forgive Hsiung and not press further charges against her.

The boy's name has not been released.