Property developer at billionaire’s penthouse party jailed over sexual assault
A PROPERTY developer who sexually assaulted and “nearly raped” a drunk model he met during a dinner party at Chinese billionaire Richard Liu’s Sydney penthouse will spend at least two years in jail.
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A PROPERTY developer who “nearly raped” a drunk model after a Sydney dinner party hosted by Chinese billionaire Richard Liu will spend at least Two-and-a-half years in jail.
Longwei “Tommy” Xu repeatedly sexually assaulted the 20-year-old woman during an hour-long ordeal in his 13th floor hotel room at the Shangri-La on in 2015.
Judge Nicole Noman said Xu was an arrogant man who thought his charm and wealth could wear down the university student’s resolve while taking advantage of her alcohol-rendered vulnerability.
She said Xu showed “a sense of entitlement and acted to take what he wanted without any regard for the victim”.
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In July a jury found the 29-year-old guilty of seven offences, including one count of sexual intercourse without consent by way of digital penetration.
The Wolli Creek man was sentenced to a maximum four years behind bars with a non parole period of two and a half years in the NSW District Court on Friday.
The jury heard that on the night of December 26, Xu picked the victim up in a white Range Rover and took her to a penthouse apartment at The Rocks owned by Mr Liu — a Chinese internet entrepreneur and founder of e-commerce business JD.com.
Mr Liu was not accused of any wrongdoing.
The woman said she was forced to drink white wine by several men at Xu’s birthday party, despite telling them she was allergic to alcohol.
The judge rejected testimony from one guest who claimed the victim was acting flirtatiously, stating CCTV clearly showed she was physically unwell and in need of help.
An “opportunistic” Xu took the promotions model back to his hotel room, undressed her and pinned her down as she struggled and said “I’m not that kind of woman”, the court heard.
The Chinese national told her that “she would not refuse him” and used “force, fear and perseverance”, Judge Noman said.
When the victim bit Xu’s tongue as he tried to kiss her and continued to protest he slapped her, the court heard.
The woman escaped from Xu’s hotel room once he fell asleep, calling her boyfriend in tears saying she’d been “nearly raped”.
When the boyfriend drove her to a police station to report the assault she vomited on the way in the car, Judge Noman said.
The victim, who has since been unable to continue her studies at the University of Technology, Sydney, developed suicidal thoughts and later posted on social media “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”, the court heard.
The judge ruled that alcohol played a role in Xu’s offences and while he’s admitted to having four drinks he’s displayed no remorse.
“The prisoner maintains his innocence,” barrister Winston Terracini said.
The defence says Xu’s partner, who supported him in court, suffers post natal depression after the birth of their son.
Xu has lived in Australia for a decade and will be deported upon his release, which could be as early as January 2021.
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