Alleged rapist in tearful outburst after claim he faked suicide bid

A man accused of raping and then robbing a mainland prostitute burst into tears as he finished giving evidence yesterday.

Wong Ka-wai, 29, has pleaded not guilty to one count of rape and one of robbery. Yesterday was the final day of testimony and Wong was on the stand as the only defence witness.

Prosecutor Jimmy Kwong had concluded his cross-examination by accusing Wong of faking a suicide attempt to bolster his defence when Wong's composure cracked.

'All my life I had not had a business. [But] once I had started my business then this has happened,' he said. 'I knew that most of what I said would not be believed ... but I thought you would believe me, Your Honour,' he sobbed as correctional services staff marched him back to the dock.

It is alleged that early in the afternoon of May 26 last year, Wong, posing as a police officer, raped a mainland woman who was working illegally as a prostitute in Hong Kong. It is also alleged that he stole $3,800, US$700 and a mobile phone from her immediately afterwards.

Wong denied the charges, saying he had been bullied into confessing to the crime by police.

He said that after being arrested he was placed in a small room where four officers turned his hood around, blocking his vision, and then told him what he was going to do.