March 2016 Judge extends jail term for child rapist who fled from the country A RAPIST has had his prison sentence extended for a “determined and outrageous” attempt to escape justice by fleeing the country before his trial. Joseph Tsang was due to stand trial at Oxford Crown Court in August last year accused of raping and sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl in a hotel room. But the 31-year-old fled to Hong Kong, sparking an international manhunt until he was later arrested and extradited to the UK. The amateur ice skater appeared at Oxford Crown Court via video link yesterday,[mar1] where he admitted breaching his electronically-tagged bail. Judge Patrick Eccles QC said Tsang, of Sandy Lane, Oxford, had betrayed the trust of the court by breaching his bail. Jailing him for a further six months Judge Eccles added: “You broke your word, it was a betrayal of the trust of the court. “Such a determined and outrageous breach of bail undermines the criminal justice system.” Tsang was initially released on bail in January last year, after being found guilty of two counts of causing or inciting a female under 16 to engage in sexual activity, three counts of sexual activity with a child under 16 and making indecent images of children. But after he fled the country in August, a jury unanimously found him guilty in his absence of two counts of rape and two counts of sexual assault following his second trial. Judge Eccles branded Tsang a “sexual predator” and jailed him for 15 years in October. Tsang was not in court for the sentencing as he was still awaiting an extradition hearing before Hong Kong magistrates at the time, but arrived back in the country to begin his sentence last month[feb5] Lisa Bald, defending, insisted her client had not escaped the country by impersonating his sister. She told the court he had gone to Hong Kong because his mum was seriously ill and added: “She died on October 31 last year. “As a result of his action he was actually in custody in Hong Kong and was refused leave to go to her funeral.” Judge Eccles said the court had sympathy for Tsang having a terminally ill mum, but stressed other defendants make it to court in similar circumstances. He added: “You put your own personal circumstances above the interests of justices.” October 2015 Absconded rapist sentenced to 15 years in his absence A rapist who fled to Hong Kong before his trial has been sentenced in his absence to 15 years in prison. Joseph Tsang, 31, of Sandy Lane, Oxford, was convicted in August at the city’s Crown Court of two counts of rape and two counts of sexual assault. Passing sentence, Judge Patrick Eccles described him as “a predatory man with an unhealthy sexual fascination with adolescent girls”. Tsang was arrested in Hong Kong in September and is facing extradition. The Chinese national committed the offences in Hampshire against a teenage girl. When he fled the IT worker was also awaiting sentence for other crimes carried out in Oxfordshire, including three counts of sexual activity with a child under 16, two counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity and making 23 indecent images of children. The judge said Tsang’s behaviour in absconding to Hong Kong was “extremely rare” and that he would face a further punishment for it when he is eventually extradited. In victim impact statements read out in court the girls Tsang abused, who were just 14 and 15 at the time, described how the “nightmare” of what he did to them changed their lives. Both said they have since suffered depression and anxiety and have struggled at school following their ordeals. Speaking outside court the victims both said they were happy with the sentence and felt justice had been done. August 2015 WANTED sex offender on the run Thames Valley Police is appealing for the public’s assistance to trace a man who is wanted to be sentenced for sexual offences in Oxfordshire and Hampshire. Joseph Tsang, aged 31, of Sandy Lane, Oxford, was found guilty of sexual offences at Oxford Crown Court on Tuesday (25/8), following a six day trial. The jury recorded a majority verdict for two counts of rape and two counts of sexual assault by penetration. These offences occurred in Hampshire. Tsang is also awaiting sentence for sexual offences in Oxfordshire. At the same court earlier this year, Tsang was found guilty of: One count of making indecent images of children Two counts of cause/incite a female under 16 years to engage in sexual activity Three counts of sexual activity with a child under 16 years. Tsang is wanted after failing to appear for the second trial and to be sentenced for his convictions. Tsang is aged 31, Chinese, 5ft 7ins, slim, clean shaven, with brown eyes and short straight black hair. He usually wears glasses and earrings in both ears He has access to a black Suzuki Swift BV07VEL. Investigating officer, Det Chief Insp Katy Barrow-Grint of the Protecting Vulnerable People Unit, said: “If anyone knows the whereabouts of Joseph Tsang then I would urge them to look inside their conscience and think about the victims who have been through a living nightmare at his hands. These victims are entitled to justice. “If you see Tsang then you should call 999, or if you have general information about his whereabouts then please call 101. “It is possible that he has fled the Oxford area and could even be abroad, potentially in Hong Kong, where he has family ties, or elsewhere in Asia. “If you don’t want to speak directly to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.”