Hong Kong social worker jailed for molesting orphan girls in China

Jan 6, 2011, 6:59 GMT

Hong Kong - A Hong Kong social worker was jailed Thursday for eight years for having sex with a girl and molesting another at a children's home he founded in southern China.

Francis Lee Kwok-wah, 49, was convicted in December of forcing a 14-year-old girl into repeatedly having sex with him and molesting a 15-year-old at the home in China's Yunnan province from 2005 to 2007.

Hong Kong's High Court heard how he showered the 14-year-old with gifts, including a digital music player and a bank card, and warned her she would be thrown out of the home if she refused his advances.

The other girl was fondled by Lee as he made overnight stays at the home he set up for orphans and children whose families were too poor to care for them.

The married father-of-two was found guilty of three counts of unlawful sex with a child under the age of 16, one count of indecent assault and a further charge of indecent conduct.

At Thursday's sentencing, Judge Derek Pang told Lee his actions had violated his duty of trust toward the youngsters he should have been caring for and had tarnished Hong Kong's reputation in China.

Lee set up the home after a 1996 earthquake in Yunnan. Girls from the home were brought to Hong Kong by prosecutors to testify at the trial.

Read more about China

Read more about HongKong Justice