Justin Lee gets 22 years for rape

3 September – After being charged with sexual assault and filming the above acts, wealthy socialite Justin Lee was found guilty and sentenced to 22 years and four months in prison on nine counts of rape and 15 counts of invasion of privacy.

According to website Sina Entertainment, the 28-year-old Taiwanese playboy’s total sentence is 18 years and six months for raping nine women and three years and 10 months for filming 15 women. Lee was also ordered to pay 14.25 million NTD (611,587 SGD) to 12 of his victims, who sued him for a total of 75 million NTD in damages.

Justin could have been sentenced to up to 30 years in prison for 45 counts of rape, aggravated rape and invasion of privacy, but evidence was lacking. So Justin appeared relieved as he left the courtroom and said he would appeal the verdict.

Justin’s case became an internet sensation in August 2012 when police conducted initial investigations following media exposure and found a sex tape made by Justin featuring 60 actresses, allegedly including Janice and Maggie Wu. He was also suspected of drugging several women in several luxury nightclubs in Taipei since August 2009 and taking them home to rape them.

Justin finally turned himself in later on August 23, after being on the run for more than three weeks.