Liu Lirong who was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment on Monday, May 30, is appealing both her conviction and sentence for people trafficking, trading in prostitution and keeping a brothel.

Her appeal was filed with the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa, on May 31. Her counsel Laki Niu has also filed an application for her bail pending her appeal.

Lirong (45) a Chinese national was found guilty on seven counts, including human trafficking, keeping a brothel and trading in prostitution by Justice Robert Shuster in the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court on May 30.

During her sentencing Liu through her counsel's submission maintained her innocence and denied having committed the crimes.

Counsel in mitigating submissions to Justice Shuster on May 30 said that the judge only found his client guilty because he found the complainant's evidence to be credible.

He said that apart from this there were no other supporting evidence and no cooperation to support the evidence by the two complainants.

He said that it was dangerous to convict someone on sex offences with no cooperation. Although it is not illegal but it is dangerous because you are always left with what if, he said.

Sentencing

Justice Shuster in sentencing Liu described Liu's criminal activities as heinous and appalling, and the worst in the criminal calendar. He also confirmed his belief in the two women's evidence that they were kept for the purpose of prostitution.