A Hong Kong court has sentenced the former owner of a private tutorial centre to six years and four months in prison after he was convicted of molesting five boys and recording some of the offences.
The sentence was handed down by the High Court on Tuesday. The court found that Yu Hey-tsit committed multiple offences against five minors at the Prime Solid Learning Education Centre in Mei Foo Sun Chuen, a tutoring business that has since ceased operations.
According to court findings, the victims were between seven and 14 years old at the time of the offences. The incidents took place at the education centre, where Yu had access to the children through his role as the operator of the facility.
During sentencing, the court described the crimes as serious and deeply troubling. The judge said the offences involved a breach of trust and took place in an environment where children and parents expected safety and proper supervision.
The court noted that educational institutions are places where young people should feel secure while learning and developing. Any abuse of authority within such settings can have lasting effects on victims and their families.
Evidence presented during the proceedings showed that some of the offences were recorded by the defendant. The court considered the recordings an aggravating factor when determining the sentence.
Judges also considered the ages of the victims, the number of children affected, and the circumstances under which the offences occurred. The court concluded that a significant prison sentence was necessary to reflect the seriousness of the crimes and to protect the public.
The case drew attention because the offences involved multiple victims and occurred over a period during which the defendant was operating an educational business. Prosecutors argued that the children were placed in a vulnerable position because of the trust associated with the learning centre.
A government psychologist prepared an assessment that was reviewed during the sentencing process. According to the report, several personal and social factors may have contributed to the defendant’s actions.
The psychologist cited aspects of Yu’s upbringing, difficulties in his marriage, and challenges related to his tutoring business. The report suggested that the defendant appeared to have sought emotional closeness while attempting to escape from problems in his personal life.
However, the court made clear that such factors did not excuse the offences. The judge emphasized that personal difficulties cannot justify criminal acts committed against children.
The sentencing hearing focused on balancing the circumstances of the case with the need for punishment, deterrence, and public protection. The court ultimately determined that a lengthy prison term was appropriate given the nature of the offences and the impact on the victims.
Child protection advocates have repeatedly stressed the importance of maintaining strong safeguards in educational settings. Experts say schools, tutoring centres, and youth organizations must continue implementing measures that help prevent abuse and encourage reporting of concerns.
Authorities in Hong Kong have also emphasized the importance of protecting minors and ensuring that allegations involving children are investigated thoroughly. Cases involving abuse of trust are often treated with particular seriousness because they can affect a child’s sense of safety and wellbeing.
The closure of the tutoring centre means it is no longer operating. However, the case has renewed attention on safeguarding practices within private education services and the responsibilities of individuals who work with children.
Legal experts noted that the sentence reflects the courts’ firm approach toward offences involving minors. They said the ruling sends a clear message about the consequences of exploiting positions of trust and authority.
For the victims and their families, the conclusion of the court proceedings marks the end of a lengthy legal process. While the sentence cannot undo the harm caused, the court said accountability and justice remain important parts of the legal system’s response to crimes involving children.
The six-year and four-month prison term takes effect immediately, bringing the case to a close after the High Court’s ruling on Tuesday.
