Convicted paedophile Tsang has appeal for reduced sentence rejected by UK court
The Hongkonger, who was labelled ‘predatory’ and triggered a global manhunt last year will serve 15 years for multiple child sex-related crimes
London’s Court of Appeal has rejected a convicted child rapist’s bid for a reduced jail term after he fled the UK for Hong Kong while on trial last year.
Judges on Friday concluded that Joseph Tsang Kit-yee 15-year jail sentence was appropriate.
“We are satisfied that the sentence of 15 years properly reflects Tsang’s sexual criminality in respect of these two vulnerable girls,” Justice Jeremy Baker said.
Tsang’s lawyer argued that the sentence was too harsh given the ex-professional ice skater and IT worker’s clean criminal record in the past.
It followed an earlier trial in which the 32-year-old Hongkonger was found guilty for making indecent images of children, inciting a female under the age of 16 to engage in sexual activity, and three counts of sexual activity involving a 14 year-old girl.
He was finally arrested in September after a tip-off led Hong Kong and UK authorities to Aberdeen where the fugitive had been hiding out with family and friends.
During the sentencing hearing in October, Judge Patrick Eccles described the Hongkonger as “a predatory man with an unhealthy sexual fascination with adolescent girls”.
Over the two separate trials, British courts heard how Tsang had used his well-known status as an ice skating pro and an IT expert to lure a 15-year-old girl to a hotel where she was assaulted and raped twice, news website This is Oxfordshirereported.
Another 14-year-old victim was lured to his home where she was molested and forced to perform sex acts. Detectives also located dozens of indecent images of children on the Hongkonger’s computer.
After his capture, a smug-looking Tsang posed for photographers while being driven away in a prison van to his extradition hearing.
