HONG KONG: A self-styled Taoist master stood remorselessly before Justice Stanley Chan yesterday morning, displaying flashes of anger as he was sentenced to six years and nine months in prison for duping a young model into performing ritualistic sex rites with him, in a bid to improve her luck.

Au Yeung Kwok-fu, 55, had pleaded not-guilty to nine counts of obtaining unlawful sexual acts by false pretenses.

Justice Chan said the sentence was intended as a deterrent to others, adding Au Yeung had shown no remorse for tricking the young model, "abusing her trust and taking her lai see in exchange for his services."

A psychiatric report conducted before Au Yeung's sentencing concluded the former bulldozer operator was likely to reoffend if released.

Au Yeung's defense argued he conducted the rituals out of the goodness of his heart, adding he was a charitable figure among his community.

The judge did not touch on any of the defense's closing submissions in handing down sentence.

Evidence at Au Yeung's trial in District Court was that he had duped the unidentified 19-year-old model into having sex nine times from April to December 2007.

Testifying from behind a blind, the model, who is now 21, had earlier told the court she performed oral and vaginal intercourse on nine occasions with Au Yeung who claimed it was part of a Taoist ritual that would improve her luck and career.

The rituals the model performed with Au Yeung included chanted spells over burning incense and written talismans applied before and during the sex acts. Court heard that Au Yeung told the woman the sexual acts had to continue until the incense burned out.

The woman said she was referred to Au Yeung by her manager, Carry Leung.

The matter came to light when the woman became pregnant and had an abortion on January 21 last year. She sought help from a social worker who contacted police.

Au Yeung and several defence witnesses who had sought his sexual services maintained he has supernatural powers to prevent pregnancy. DNA tests showed he was the father of the aborted fetus.

Justice Chan said although Au Yeung and the unidentified girl had sex consensually, it was only because Au-yeung had tricked the "stupid and ignorant" model into unwitting participation in sex acts. The judge said it was ridiculous that the sex acts should be represented as part of the Taoist doctrine.

(HK Edition 01/22/2010 page1)