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Technology breakthrough brought man to justice after 38 years
A 58-year-old man, who was only arrested after 38 years due to breakthroughs in forensics technologies, was brought to court today for raping and robbing a 13-year-old girl in 1983.
A Tuen Mun magistrate's court heard this afternoon that chef Wong Chun-chuen, who was 20 years old when he allegedly committed the offences, was only arrested Sunday afternoon in Tsuen Wan after police confirmed his identity due to a breakthrough in technologies in recent years during a stop and search.
Unfortunately, the victim had already passed away earlier.
No plea was taken earlier today before acting principal magistrate Wong Sze-lai when Wong was brought before him on one count of robbery and another count of rape.
The case was adjourned to October 12 pending police’s investigation, which would include searching for witnesses, recording testimonies and running DNA comparisons to investigate whether the defendant is involved in other cases.
Wong Sze-lai rejected Wong’s bail application due to the seriousness of the case, and remanded him in jail custody pending his next court appearance.
Earlier in court, the court was told that Wong, robbed the 13-year-old girl, identified in the court as X, of HK$160 in cash in the now-demolished Tuen Mun San Fat Estate, and raped her in January 1983.
The prosecution also told the court that there is strong evidence against Wong, including a handprint found at the crime scene, and he also admitted that he had robbed X under caution.
Although evidence was collected at the scene, police officers were unable to identify the suspect previously.
However, recent breakthroughs in forensics technology made it possible for officers to pin-pointed the suspect, and a warrant was issued for him.
Wong's lawyer said his client was married with a 30 years old daughter and since he had not apply for traveling documents, nor did he contact government departments, he had no idea he was being wanted.
But the prosecution argued Wong has five convictions involving dishonesty previously, and was applying for bail.
Police stopped Wong in Tsuen Wan after finding him suspicious last Sunday, and subsequently discovered he is being wanted, he was then arrested.
San Fat Estate is the first public residential estate in Tuen Mun, which was built in 1971, and was built next to Tuen Mun station and was demolished in 2002 to be developed into a private residential estate Century Gateway.
Unfortunately, the victim had already passed away earlier.
No plea was taken earlier today before acting principal magistrate Wong Sze-lai when Wong was brought before him on one count of robbery and another count of rape.
The case was adjourned to October 12 pending police’s investigation, which would include searching for witnesses, recording testimonies and running DNA comparisons to investigate whether the defendant is involved in other cases.
Wong Sze-lai rejected Wong’s bail application due to the seriousness of the case, and remanded him in jail custody pending his next court appearance.
Earlier in court, the court was told that Wong, robbed the 13-year-old girl, identified in the court as X, of HK$160 in cash in the now-demolished Tuen Mun San Fat Estate, and raped her in January 1983.
The prosecution also told the court that there is strong evidence against Wong, including a handprint found at the crime scene, and he also admitted that he had robbed X under caution.
Although evidence was collected at the scene, police officers were unable to identify the suspect previously.
However, recent breakthroughs in forensics technology made it possible for officers to pin-pointed the suspect, and a warrant was issued for him.
Wong's lawyer said his client was married with a 30 years old daughter and since he had not apply for traveling documents, nor did he contact government departments, he had no idea he was being wanted.
But the prosecution argued Wong has five convictions involving dishonesty previously, and was applying for bail.
Police stopped Wong in Tsuen Wan after finding him suspicious last Sunday, and subsequently discovered he is being wanted, he was then arrested.
San Fat Estate is the first public residential estate in Tuen Mun, which was built in 1971, and was built next to Tuen Mun station and was demolished in 2002 to be developed into a private residential estate Century Gateway.
