nine men appeared for sentencing

nine men appeared for sentencing in the Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court, China, after being convicted of committing a series of robberies and assaults. The nine, who reportedly committed at least 10 offences in Shenzhen between November 24 and December 5, 2004, were all from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Seven of their victims were injured during the robberies, one seriously. The gang usually hid before committing a robbery. The victims were grabbed around the neck or hit on their heads by one robber while another stole their money and personal belongings. Police said a Korean woman surnamed Xuan, 26, and her friend were robbed of one million Korean Won (US$900) in Nanguang Village in Nanshan District. The two victims suffered head injuries. The head of the gang, Tang Yongsheng, was sentenced to death. Another two, Fan Guide and Wang Qiyi, were given suspended death sentences and the rest were jailed for terms ranging from three years to life.