RESTAURANT COOK FOUND WITH THOUSANDS OF CHILD ABUSE IMAGES SPARED JAIL
A restaurant cook named Hing Lau, aged 64, who worked at the China China takeaway in Lyminge near Folkestone, has been spared jail after downloading more than 7,000 images that depicted horrific sexual abuse of children, including a 'drugged' six-year-old.
His depravity surfaced when police, acting on intelligence, raided his address and seized five devices, uncovering a catalog of indecent pictures and videos of minors aged between two and seven.
The images were classified into categories, with 967 images being of the most serious level, Category A, featuring victims aged between two and four years old and a six-year-old child who appeared to be drugged.
Prosecutor Ben Wild detailed that the victims in Category A included children aged between two and four, as well as a six-year-old who seemed to be drugged.
Lau was arrested in October 2021 following the raid, pleaded guilty to three offences of making indecent photographs of children, and made full admissions upon arrest.
Although he gave a 'no-comment' interview to police initially and did not plead guilty until court, he admitted to viewing the images.
At sentencing on November 8, 2024, the judge considered his guilty plea, remorse, and potential for rehabilitation, ultimately imposing a suspended 12-month jail sentence for two years.
Lau must also complete 240 hours of unpaid work, attend rehabilitation activities, register as a sex offender for 10 years, and be subject to a sexual harm prevention order restricting internet use and contact with minors.
He was ordered to pay £1,000 towards prosecution costs and is known to work six days a week.
Court Outcome
Conviction and Sentencing Details
Sentenced
Detected legal outcome
for 10 years, and be subject to a sexual harm prevention order restricting internet use and contact with minors. He was ordered to pay 1,000 towards prosecution costs and is known to work six days a week.
Community order
10 years
Lau must also complete 240 hours of unpaid work, attend rehabilitation activities, register as a sex offender for 10 years, and be subject to a sexual harm prevention order restricting internet use and contact with minors
Sex Offenders Register
240 hours
Lau must also complete 240 hours of unpaid work, attend rehabilitation activities, register as a sex offender for 10 years, and be subject to a sexual harm prevention order restricting internet use and contact with minors
Court order
240 hours
Lau must also complete 240 hours of unpaid work, attend rehabilitation activities, register as a sex offender for 10 years, and be subject to a sexual harm prevention order restricting internet use and contact with minors
Fine or payment
six days
He was ordered to pay 1,000 towards prosecution costs and is known to work six days a week
