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Life for murder of Chinese couple Life for murder of Chinese couple
(10 minutes later)
An illegal immigrant who murdered a Chinese couple in Newcastle has been jailed for life.An illegal immigrant who murdered a Chinese couple in Newcastle has been jailed for life.
The mutilated bodies of Zhen Xing Yang and his girlfriend Xi Zhou, both 25, were found in their flat in Croydon Road on 9 August 2008.The mutilated bodies of Zhen Xing Yang and his girlfriend Xi Zhou, both 25, were found in their flat in Croydon Road on 9 August 2008.
Restaurant worker Guang Hui Cao, 31, of Castle Close, Morpeth, Northumberland, had denied the killings.Restaurant worker Guang Hui Cao, 31, of Castle Close, Morpeth, Northumberland, had denied the killings.
The judge at Newcastle Crown Court said he was satisfied that the couple's murder was an execution.The judge at Newcastle Crown Court said he was satisfied that the couple's murder was an execution.
Mr Justice Wilkie said it "involved horrifying and unimaginable suffering".Mr Justice Wilkie said it "involved horrifying and unimaginable suffering".
He sentenced Guang to life and ordered him to serve a minimum term of 33 years He sentenced Cao to life and ordered him to serve a minimum term of 33 years
During the three-week trial jury the heard how the couple had been involved in a lucrative internet betting scam.During the three-week trial jury the heard how the couple had been involved in a lucrative internet betting scam.
Miss Xi died after being hit with a heavy weapon and was found bound and gagged face down on a bed. Miss Zhou died after being hit with a heavy weapon and was found bound and gagged face down on a bed.
Mr Zhen died after being repeatedly hit with a hammer-like weapon and having his throat slit. Mr Yang died after being repeatedly hit with a hammer-like weapon and having his throat slit.
This person did not just kill two people, he has killed two families ShuZhen Qu, Mr Zhen's mother Family praise 'cultural respect' Murder couple's fraud scam link This person did not just kill two people, he has killed two families ShuZhen Qu, Mr Yang's mother Family praise 'cultural respect' Murder couple's fraud scam link
Police said Guang arrived in the UK in 2001 on a student visa, but "outstayed his welcome" and remained in the country illegally. Police said Cao arrived in the UK in 2001 on a student visa, but "outstayed his welcome" and remained in the country illegally.
He pretended he wanted to sub-let a room in the flat to make contact with the couple before killing them.He pretended he wanted to sub-let a room in the flat to make contact with the couple before killing them.
After the murder, Guang changed his clothes and fled the property with laptop computers and mobile phones which linked him to the couple. After the murder, Cao changed his clothes and fled the property with laptop computers and mobile phones which linked him to the couple.
The phones were found dumped in a nearby park by two boys, with the batteries and sim cards missing.The phones were found dumped in a nearby park by two boys, with the batteries and sim cards missing.
'Tied up''Tied up'
They were handed to police after the murders were featured on the BBC's Crimewatch programme, and police discovered phone contact between the couple and Guang. They were handed to police after the murders were featured on the BBC's Crimewatch programme, and police discovered phone contact between the couple and Cao.
He was arrested at his home and police discovered a flake of Mr Zhen's blood on Guang's glasses, while more blood was found in two recesses of Guang's watch. He was arrested at his home and police discovered a flake of Mr Yang's blood on Cao's glasses, while more blood was found in two recesses of Cao's watch.
In his defence, Guang claimed he had been blackmailed into unwittingly helping to set up the couple's deaths after threats were made to his family in China. In his defence, Cao claimed he had been blackmailed into unwittingly helping to set up the couple's deaths after threats were made to his family in China.
Guang claimed he was tied up while the couple were killedGuang claimed he was tied up while the couple were killed
He said he was in the flat at Croydon Road when they were killed, but was tied up and locked in the bathroom.He said he was in the flat at Croydon Road when they were killed, but was tied up and locked in the bathroom.
The court heard the couple could have been killed for their part in a lucrative internet betting operation which saw £233,000 pass through their bank accounts in three years.The court heard the couple could have been killed for their part in a lucrative internet betting operation which saw £233,000 pass through their bank accounts in three years.
Miss Xi's father, Sanbao Zhou, said he felt "as if the sky had fallen on us" when he heard about his daughter's death. Miss Zhou's father, Sanbao Zhou, said he felt "as if the sky had fallen on us" when he heard about his daughter's death.
He said: "We nurtured her for 25 years and now she is suddenly gone. Words alone cannot possibly convey the harm that has been done to our family."He said: "We nurtured her for 25 years and now she is suddenly gone. Words alone cannot possibly convey the harm that has been done to our family."
Mr Zhen's mother, ShuZhen Qu, said a "great deal of harm" had been done to both herself and her husband. Mr Yang's mother, ShuZhen Qu, said a "great deal of harm" had been done to both herself and her husband.
"This person did not just kill two people, he has killed two families. If this had not happened, we expected our son to return to China and the lives of our entire family would have been very different."This person did not just kill two people, he has killed two families. If this had not happened, we expected our son to return to China and the lives of our entire family would have been very different.
"We have now been sentenced to go to hell. Our family will never be able to have any future generations.""We have now been sentenced to go to hell. Our family will never be able to have any future generations."
After the guilty verdict was delivered Guang collapsed in the dock. After the guilty verdict was delivered Cao collapsed in the dock.
An ambulance was called and proceedings were adjourned until later in the afternoon.An ambulance was called and proceedings were adjourned until later in the afternoon.
Motive 'unknown'Motive 'unknown'
In sentencing, Mr Justice Wilkie said: "I am satisfied that this was an execution against two young people that had become embroiled in some criminal activity.In sentencing, Mr Justice Wilkie said: "I am satisfied that this was an execution against two young people that had become embroiled in some criminal activity.
"In some way they had crossed a large criminal gang and were punished by them. They were held up as an example and murdered in a cruel and savage way."In some way they had crossed a large criminal gang and were punished by them. They were held up as an example and murdered in a cruel and savage way.
"In the case of Miss Xi her skull had been fractured in three places. "In the case of Miss Zhou her skull had been fractured in three places.
"She had suffered horrifying and unimaginable suffering and in this way a clear message had been sent.""She had suffered horrifying and unimaginable suffering and in this way a clear message had been sent."
Det Supt Steve Wade, of Northumbria Police, said the true motive for the killings may never be known.Det Supt Steve Wade, of Northumbria Police, said the true motive for the killings may never be known.
"Only three people ever knew - two of them are dead and one has told lies throughout the police investigation."Only three people ever knew - two of them are dead and one has told lies throughout the police investigation.
"There is no hard evidence, intelligence or information to support the view that others may also have been involved in the killing."There is no hard evidence, intelligence or information to support the view that others may also have been involved in the killing.
"If that position changes, and any new information comes to light, we will consider it very carefully.""If that position changes, and any new information comes to light, we will consider it very carefully."