The teenage son of a renowned Chinese singer and a senior General was today sentenced to 10 years in jail for his involvement in a gang-rape case, which evoked a nationwide anger.
Li Tianyi,17, son of Maj Gen Li Shuangjiang, dean of the music department of the People's Liberation Army, (PLA) Academy of Arts was convicted along with four others by the Beijing Haidian District People's Court in the gang rape case which drew widespread criticism about the misbehaviour by the wards of high profile Chinese politicians and officials.
While Li was convicted for 10 years, four other defendants, including three juveniles, were given prison terms ranging from three to 12 years.
The five men were detained on Feb 21 after a woman surnamed Yang reported to police that she was gang raped in a hotel after drinking with the men in a bar on Feb 17.
Li's father Li Shuangjiang, a military singer, holds a rank equivalent to general in China's army.
Ahead of the trial a campaign was unleashed against the victim saying that she was a prostitute and attempts were made to make peace with monetary inducements.
During the trial which was kept in-camera junior Li pleaded innocent saying that he was drunk and was not aware of the happening around.
According to the court, the younger Li and four other defendants took Yang to a hotel room by force, beat her up and gang raped her on Feb 17.
Li and another defendant surnamed Wei gave Yang 2,000 yuan (USD 326.8) afterwards.
Yang also suffered minor injuries, according to judicial authorities.
The court held two pre-trial meetings on July 22 and Aug 20, in which lawyers for the five suspects and the victim disagreed on whether it was a gang rape or prostitution case.
