Go tutor sentenced to 22 years for molesting 12 children

Taipei, March 26 (CNA) A Go tutor has been sentenced to 22 years for molesting 12 boys and girls up to 64 times in total, the Taiwan New Taipei District Court said on Wednesday.

According to the verdict, the defendant, surnamed Lee (李), was found guilty of violating the Criminal Code by molesting minors under the age of 14, the youngest reportedly six years old, and the Sexual Harassment Prevention Act.

Meanwhile, he also broke the Child and Youth Sexual Exploitation Prevention Act by filming videos of the children as he abused them, the court said.

The case came to light on Sept. 1, 2024, when the parents of a victim reported the misconduct of Lee, who had been operating an unlicensed Go classroom out of his residence, where he had also installed cameras.

The authorities inspected the "classroom" the following day, seizing video evidence and later identifying 12 victims.

Lee was taken into custody, and in January the New Taipei District Court extended his detention for an additional two months before proceeding with the trial.

Meanwhile, the New Taipei City Education Department responded that it fined Lee NT$250,000 (US$7,560) in September 2024 and ordered the immediate closure of his "classroom," as he had failed to obtain the necessary approval to operate a short-term tutoring center.

In addition, Lee has been banned from ever working in a tutoring center, the department said.