Jailed people trafficker appeals against conviction and sentence [1]
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 - 18:48. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
Liu Lirong (45) jailed for 10 years at Hu'atolitoli Prison for people trafficking, trading in prostitution and keeping a brothel, appealed both her conviction and sentence at the Court of Appeal's second session in Nuku'alofa, on September 20.
On May 30 this year, Justice Robert Shuster sentenced Lirong offender to jail after finding her guilty on seven counts of people trafficking, trading in prostitution and keeping a brothel in Tongatapu after a trial in April.
Lirong who pleaded guilty on all seven counts had maintained her innocence throughout the trial. However, the two victims from China, Chun Juan Du (34) and Hong Yu Yang (29) in their evidence told the court that Lirong had forced them into prostitution in Tongatapu in 2009.
Counsel Laki Niu had initially submitted on May 30 during sentencing, that the judge only found his client guilty because he found the complainant's evidence to be credible. Apart from this, there was no other supporting evidence and no cooperation to support the evidence by the two complainants, he said.
The Court of Appeal's second session continues in Nuku'alofa on its second day of sitting. Thirteen cases are being appealed with judgments to be delivered next week on September 30 or earlier depending on how fast the cases are heard.
The first day of the Court of Appeal yesterday, September 19 heard appeals by Jonesse against both conviction and sentencing and the Shipping Corporation against sentence. The Crown also appealed the sentence imposed on Ashika Captain Makahokovalu Tuputupu and first mate Semisi Pomale.