Predator caged: child rapist Joseph Tsang Kit-yee starts 15-year jail term in Britain as Hong Kong sends him packing
A convicted child rapist who fled Britain to Hong Kong last summer began his 15-year prison sentence in the UK yesterday for a string of sex offences after being extradited from the SAR earlier in the day.
Joseph Tsang Kit-yee, 31, absconded to Hong Kong in August prior to a second trial at Oxford Crown Court in south-central England for two counts each of rape and sexual assault involving a 15-year-old girl.
In an earlier trial at the same court, he was found guilty of 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.
A total of two underage girls were involved in the case.
The British national was convicted in absentia to a total of 15 years in prison.
Passing sentence in October in the Hongkonger’s absence, Judge Patrick Eccles described Tsang as “a predatory man with an unhealthy sexual fascination with adolescent girls,” the Oxford Times reported.
Judge Eccles, who oversaw both court cases, granted bail after the first trial - on condition that Tsang surrender his British passport, wear an electronic tag, pay a bond, observe a curfew and attend court hearings - as he did not consider Tsang a flight risk.
Tsang’s disappearance sparked a global manhunt for several weeks, with Interpol issuing a red notice for his arrest.
Acting on a tip-off, detectives were led to the territory, where the fugitive was arrested in September 2015 in Aberdeen after spending two months hiding with the aid of family and friends.
Prior to an extradition hearing scheduled for last November at Hong Hong’s Eastern Court, Tsang’s lawyer Oliver Davies vowed to contest the move before his client apparently had a change of heart and consented to being returned to Britain.
Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying duly issued an “authority to proceed” notice to facilitate the extradition.
Police officers from England’s Hampshire Constabulary travelled to Hong Kong to escort Tsang back to Britain.
Detective Constable Claire Nangle, the investigating officer at Thames Valley Police, said: “I am reassured that Tsang is now back in the United Kingdom, where he can be held account for the crimes he committed and start his long prison sentence.
“I would like to commend the victims in this investigation for the bravery and courage they have shown, as well as the hard work of all staff and officers within the police and Crown Prosecution Service who secured Tsang’s convictions.”
