A karate instructor would become an outcast in the martial arts world after being sentenced to a year's jail for indecently assaulting a young student, his lawyer said yesterday.
The 42-year-old master, an instructor for more than 20 years, had resigned from a karate association and could no longer train students.
Judge Andrew Chung told the District Court the defendant had brought shame to himself and his family. He said the sentence was severe punishment for the defendant, who was apparently highly respected.
He adopted a starting point of 18 months, but gave a discount because of the instructor's previously clear record and family background.
The instructor was found guilty of indecent assault and attempting to have unlawful sex with a girl under 16.
The court heard that the instructor had oral sex with the 15-year-old after she had arrived for a coaching session at his flat on October 24 last year.