Hong Kong student receives 10-year term for multiple sexual crimes against minors

Hong Kong High Court Judge Andrew Chan sentenced 22-year-old psychology student Fan Chi-yuen to ten years’ imprisonment for a series of sexual offences against under-age girls. Fan admitted guilt to twelve counts, including attempted rape, indecent assault, and the creation and possession of child-pornographic material, affecting nine victims, four of whom were granted anonymity orders. The crimes were committed between June 2022 and September 2023 after Fan met the girls on the social-media platform Xiaohongshu, with assaults taking place on public transport and in hostels.

One victim, referred to only as X, was 14 when assaulted, later attempted to provide pornographic images, and died by suicide two weeks after the attack; her mother’s discovery of messages on X’s iPad led to police involvement. A clinical psychologist assessed Fan’s risk of reoffending as medium-to-high, noting his lack of remorse. The judge emphasized Fan’s view of girls as “targets” and, considering his plea, imposed the ten-year sentence.