A Hong Kong solicitor, Kelvin Luk Kin-ting, 39, has been sentenced to three years and seven months in prison after pleading guilty to multiple charges related to sexual offenses involving a 12-year-old girl he encountered online. The District Court handed down the sentence after Luk admitted to two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor under 13, two counts of making child pornography, and one count of procuring a person under 16 to create indecent images. The case underscores the critical dangers present on unverified online platforms and the legal severity of exploiting minors.
The offenses took place in March 2024 at Luk’s residence in Park Island. Luk initially connected with the victim, identified as X, via the dating application Heymandi, where he falsely claimed to be in his late twenties. The court noted that their communications swiftly centered on sexual topics, contradicting Luk’s assertion that the encounters were part of a “loving relationship.”
Calculated Exploitation and Digital Evidence
Investigations revealed that Luk’s conduct was calculated and predatory. During their first meeting on March 4, Luk kissed the girl and subsequently engaged in sexual intercourse after dinner, during which he also photographed her naked. The gravity of the exploitation escalated during their second meeting on March 28. After X consumed beer at his flat, further sexual activity occurred. Disturbingly, court evidence indicated Luk removed a condom mid-intercourse despite X’s objection, demanded oral sex, and recorded numerous videos.
Deputy District Judge Katherine Lo Kit-yee dismissed the defense’s claim that Luk believed the girl was of age or that the relationship was a genuine romance. The court determined Luk leveraged the child’s “naivety and curiosity about sex” for his own gratification. As an aggravating factor, the judge highlighted Luk’s failure to use protection consistently, noting that a truly concerned adult would have taken precautions for the minor’s welfare.
The solicitor’s digital activity provided substantial evidence linking him to the crimes. Investigators recovered 204 photographs and nine video clips of child sexual abuse material from his phone, which were created at his home. Telegram conversations further exposed Luk’s actions, including requests for X to upload explicit images and suggesting sexual acts while intoxicated.
The offenses came to light in May 2024 when the victim’s father discovered revealing images and messaging records, subsequently reporting the incident to police.
Rejection of Mitigating Claims
While the defense argued that Luk believed the girl was over 18 because the app was ostensibly restricted to adult users and X had described herself as a senior secondary student, the court soundly rejected these claims. The judge pointed to inconsistencies in Luk’s personal history and a relevant report suggesting an attraction to adolescent females could not be ruled out.
The sentence reflects the severe imbalance of power and the calculated nature of the offenses. The court considered the creation of indecent material and the impact on the victim. A trauma report presented during sentencing conveyed the victim’s wish for Luk to be incarcerated and emphasized the necessity of a supportive psychological environment for her recovery.
This conviction underscores the importance of stringent age verification on online platforms and serves as a significant deterrent against the exploitation of minors through digital channels. Resource organizations remain available to assist victims of online sexual exploitation.