Former university student jailed for 7 years for rape, sexual assault on 5 women

A former university student from Hong Kong has been sentenced to seven years in prison for a series of rape and sexual assault crimes against five women. The 31-year-old defendant, identified as YLH, was found guilty of one count of rape, one count of voyeurism, and three counts of indecent assault. The offenses occurred between January and August 2023 during various orientation camps.

At a joint school orientation camp in July 2023, the defendant was playing a drinking game with a male student and a woman when he took advantage of the woman, groping her multiple times before raping her. The following month at an EdU camp, he secretly observed a woman showering and later pulled open her shower curtain. During this camp, he molested two other women. On one occasion, he approached a victim at the campfire and touched her thigh.

One of the victims, who was not associated with the camps, also accused the defendant of sexually assaulting her inside his car in January 2023 after they had a drink in Central. The defendant offered a ride home, but instead took her to a secluded area where he molested her. The court heard testimonies from the victims, who were affected by the crimes, with one victim experiencing moderate depression and anxiety.

Madam Justice Esther Toh Lye-ping sentenced the defendant to six years for rape and an additional year and one week for the remaining four charges, to be served consecutively.