A TAIWANESE woman has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for forcing her three underage daughters into prostitution

The woman, identified only by her surname, Wei, was convicted of forcing her daughters, then aged six, seven and 10 years old, to work as prostitutes between 2005 and 2007, said an official at the Tainan district court.

The case came to light when Wei’s oldest daughter complained to her teacher, who then reported the matter to police.

The girls have been placed in foster care.

Nine men aged between 32 and 78 were also found guilty of raping the girls and received prison terms ranging from three to 20 years.

They have ten days to appeal the ruling.