2½ years’ jail for Hong Kong district councillor who had sex with 13-year-old girl in 2011

Sei Chun-hing, a 39-year-old member of Yuen Long District Council, has been sentenced to two years and six months in prison for having unlawful sex with a 13-year-old girl in 2011. District Court Judge Stanley Chan Kwong-chi noted that Sei had shown no remorse towards the victim, whom he claimed to have loved. The court heard that Sei and the victim, identified as X, started dating in October 2010 when she was 13 and Sei was 23.

Despite submitting mitigation letters from politicians, friends, and family members, Sei himself did not write one. The judge rejected Sei's defense claims that he and the victim were "deeply in love" when the sexual relationship began. Sei had planned the night of the offense, which was March 14, 2011, a month after he gave X a handcrafted gift for Valentine's Day.

After the incident, X suffered post-traumatic stress disorder and went through a difficult period following Sei's breakup with her. The court rejected Sei's previous claim that they were deeply in love when she agreed to have sex, and also rejected the defense's submissions on Sei's good character and contributions to society. As of the sentencing, Sei remained listed as a member of the Yuen Long District Council.

The government announced an internal inquiry into council members' conduct following a petition by the council chairman and three other members. District Council members can be disqualified from office if sentenced to more than three months' imprisonment for any offence.