An associate professor of education at the University of Hong Kong, who has been teaching for 30 years, was convicted of indecent assault yesterday, after making one student touch his groin and pressing the legs of another between his own and trying to kiss her.
The university said it would review his contract.
Although Terence Shortall, 53, denied that he had ever had physical contact with the women, he was not as 'professional or pristine' as he seemed, Magistrate William Lam Kui-po said in delivering the verdict at Eastern Court. 'He could not contain his sexual desire.'
Shortall was convicted of two counts of indecent assault over the incidents, which involved the first victim on May 8, and the second on May 11. Both incidents occurred in his office in the Hui Oi Chow Science Building on campus. He had pleaded not guilty.
The Irish academic was remanded in custody for sentencing on September 3. Mr Lam ordered a background report on him.
Shortall was clearly attracted to the first victim and tried to get close to her, Mr Lam said. Shortall wrote an e-mail to the woman, who liked to dance and was experiencing academic problems, saying that if he could 'get you out of this mess, you have to teach me how to dance'. Shortall also wrote 'sleep well' in an e-mail to her.
The university said in a statement that it had made plans to cover Shortall's duties in the event he was convicted, which they would now put in place. HKU also said it would continue to provide counselling and support for students in need.
