HONG KONG: A repeat sex offender who has more than 30 convictions, now faces life imprisonment.

As Chan Li-fat appeared for sentencing for two brutal crimes against women, his lawyer Robert Andrews pleaded that Chan felt remorse for his crimes, had volunteered for counselling and was making progress.

Andrews even submitted a report prepared by psychologist Anita Leung that said Chan, whose record of indecent assaults, rapes and burglaries stretches over 30 years will not pose a serious danger to the public in the future.

The court didn't buy it. Judge Colin Mackintosh responded to the report by saying Chan was not only a danger but also a nightmare to society, to women in particular and that previous jail terms had done nothing to rehabilitate the man. The judge said life in jail was the appropriate sentence.

Chan's most recent convictions arose from two aggravated burglaries and two rapes over a 15-month period following his last incarceration.

The court heard that Chan broke into the home of a 39-year-old woman in North Point at 2 am on March 21 last year, 11 months after he was released from jail. He ransacked the home, and used cloth and computer cables to bind the victim before sexually assaulting her.

Judge Mackintosh noted the victim was traumatized, had moved out of her flat and was having difficulties at work. The woman also suffered problems in her relationship, even though her boyfriend had been supportive.

Chan broke into another victim's home in Aberdeen through a kitchen window at 1:30 am on June 27 last year.

Chan first used a 30-centimeter knife to threaten the victim's mother-in-law, aged 53, and then blindfolded her.

He saw the victim, aged 28, sleeping in another room. Chan tied the victim up and blindfolded her before removing her lower clothes to rape her.

Chan jumped out through a window, dropping his wallet, when the victim's husband returned home. Police found Chan's identity card inside the wallet. He was arrested outside his home the same day.

Judge Mackintosh said the elder woman, who heard her daughter-in-law screaming but not able to help, was still frightened. The younger woman, who needs to sleep with the lights on, feels insecure and also is having relationship problems even though her husband supports her.

All women were forced to reveal their bank card PIN numbers under threat, court was told.

Judge Mackintosh said the offender left permanent mental scars on the women.

Chan's criminal record can be traced back three decades ago, when he was sent to a detention center for indecent assault. He was jailed on three occasions for various burglaries, indecent assaults and rapes afterwards.

Judge Mackintosh rejected the assertion by defense counsel that Chan was neither a professional criminal nor a dangerous person.

A report prepared by psychiatrist Henry Yuen Cheung-hang said Chan replied that "the opportunity should not be wasted, since I have already committed another crime" to a question why he raped the women.

The psychiatrist also testified that it cannot be determined when and where Chan will cease to be a dangerous person. He said Chan suffers a personality disorder, which includes a lack of concern for the feelings of others.

He said the criteria for a life sentence include the nature and seriousness of the offence, and consequences to other people. He said both criteria were met owing to the seriousness of the case against Chan.

The objective of the life sentence is to prevent Chan from causing danger to society, he added.

The judge ordered that Chan should serve no fewer than 18 years in prison. After that term, a panel will re-evaluate Chan's case to determine whether he is still a danger to the public.

Chan remained calm as he heard the sentence.

(HK Edition 09/12/2009 page1)