A 40-year-old Hong Kong solicitor, Kelvin Luk, has pleaded guilty to multiple serious offenses after engaging in sexual activity and creating illicit images with a 12-year-old girl he met on a dating application. Sentencing for Luk at the District Court, initially scheduled for November 17, 2025, has been adjourned until December 4 following the presentation of mitigation arguments to the judge.
The case brings crucial attention to the dangers children face on digital platforms and the legal responsibilities adults hold, regardless of the circumstances. Luk admitted to five charges, notably including unlawful sexual intercourse with a female under the age of 13.
Details of the Unlawful Conduct
According to prosecutors, the offenses took place in March 2024 at Luk’s residence in Park Island, Tsing Yi. The court heard that Luk, identified as a solicitor holding a master’s degree and a non-executive director position, engaged in sexual intercourse with the victim, referred to as “X,” on two separate occasions.
Evidence presented showed that the solicitor also generated child sexual abuse material, compiling 204 photographs and nine videos of the victim. Furthermore, he induced the minor to create and send an image of her breasts.
The defendant has no previous criminal record. The coupling reportedly began after meeting on an unspecified dating platform designed to facilitate adult connections, although the platform’s accessibility to minors remains a serious point of concern regarding digital safeguarding.
Defense Cites Mental State, Victim’s Actions
During mitigation, the defense acknowledged Luk’s responsibility as an adult but presented several arguments intended to lessen his culpability. A psychiatric report was submitted, stating that Luk does not suffer from pedophilic disorder.
The defense claimed that Luk believed he was in a consensual relationship with X and initially thought the dating app was only for adults. Counsel asserted that Luk did not realize the victim was underage until after they met, upon receiving photos that indicated she was under 16.
Further arguments highlighted that the victim allegedly initiated their meetings, inquired about the availability of condoms, and had sent explicit clips to Luk. Defense counsel maintained that the offenses lacked elements of financial inducement or traditional grooming, and that the victim consented to the acts and did not exhibit post-traumatic stress symptoms.
Mitigation Arguments Focus on Character
Drawing on Luk’s background, the defense sought to establish his good character and professional achievements. Luk is a qualified solicitor, the author of a travel book, and possesses a strong academic history. Crucially, mitigation pointed to a substantial charitable contribution: Luk reportedly made a single donation of HK$1 million to the Real Madrid Foundation to support youth football training.
The adjournment of the sentencing allows the judge additional time to consider the severity of the offenses alongside the mitigation evidence presented.
Protecting Children in the Digital Age
This case serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for enhanced parental monitoring and robust legal safeguards against online exploitation. Dating applications and social media platforms must continually strengthen verification processes to prevent adults from connecting with minors.
Actionable Steps for Parents:
- Implement strict privacy settings on all minor-used devices.
- Discuss online boundaries openly and clearly with children.
- Monitor application usage and be aware of “adult-only” platforms children might try to access.
This incident underscores the zero-tolerance policy required for offenses involving child sexual exploitation, emphasizing that professional status or perceived good character cannot mitigate the profound harm inflicted upon vulnerable victims. The global community awaits the court’s final decision, which will have significant implications for how sexual exploitation facilitated by digital platforms is prosecuted in Hong Kong.