A FULL-TIME national serviceman was placed on 12 months' probation on Monday for having sex with a girl under 16.

Zakirawan Chan Wen Shan, 19, had taken the girl home on the morning of July 17, 2006 after celebrating his birthday with a group of friends.

He and the 13-year-old girl had consensual sex. They kept in touch after that.

A week later, the victim's parents filed a report of beyond parental control against her.

She was then placed in a home, and ended their relationship.

Chan, who pleaded guilty earlier, was ordered by Community Court judge Roy Neighbour to perform 60 hours of community service, observe a curfew, and was bonded for $5,000 to ensure his good behaviour.

He could have been jailed for up to five years and fined up to $10,000 for the offence