Crying killer jailed for sex worker deaths

A Chinese national has cried in court upon learning his fate for his remorseless killing of two sex workers in Melbourne, with a court being told he used one of the deceased women’s bank cards to rack up $17,000 in purchases.

Xiaozheng Lin, 24, returned before the Supreme Court of Victoria on Thursday where he was sentenced to 14 years behind bars after pleading guilty to two counts of manslaughter.

Lin kept his head down and was seen crying as a Mandarin interpreter translated Justice Stephen Kaye’s sentencing remarks.

Lin, then 22, was arrested two days after Yuqi Luo, 31, was found dead in her Melbourne CBD apartment on December 27, 2022.

A day later police discovered the body of Hyun Sook Jeon, 51, in her Docklands unit covered in bedding and with a towel wrapped around her head.

She was killed by Lin overnight on December 27 or 28, 2022.

Lin had initially been charged with two counts of murder, however, these charges were reduced to manslaughter as part of a plea deal agreed to in July.

Justice Kaye told the court Lin had told a friend he planned to rob Ms Luo after recent gambling losses attending her home early on December 27.

The pair had consensual sex, but Lin became angry after Ms Lou denied his request for oral sex unless he paid an additional $100 and attacked her.

After his arrest, he told police he wrapped his arm around her neck and pressed her face into the bed for about a minute.

Justice Kaye said Line told detectives he felt her attitude was “pretty bad” and he was “humiliated” when she fought back.

Lin told police Ms Lou was alive and gasping for air as he stole cash, handbags and her phone before leaving — her cause of death was identified as asphyxia.

Less than 24 hours later he attended Ms Jeon’s home where she died through an “unlawful and dangerous act” by Lin, Justice Kaye said.

The court was told Lin declined to comment when interviewed by police and an autopsy was unable to determine any injuries or pathology that could have caused her death, due to decomposition.

Between 1.25am and 7.25pm on December 28, Lin made 30 transactions using Ms Jeon’s bank cards totalling almost $17,000.

Justice Kaye told the court Lin had not expressed any remorse for the serious violence he perpetuated against the two defenceless women.

“By your violent and criminal actions you have taken the lives of two innocent human beings,” Justice Kaye said.

“You showed them no mercy … instead you callously set about taking from them not only their dignity but also their personal items.”

The court was told Lin had come to Australia on a student visa from China with his family hoping the move would lead to a better life for him.

He found work as a plaster and labourer and was studying English but incurred heavy debts due to his gambling addiction.

Justice Kaye said both Ms Lou and Ms Jeon were much-loved members of their families who now suffered deep grief as a result of their “cruel deaths”.

“I have no doubt the anguish you have caused will always remain with them,” he said.

Lin was sentenced to nine years jail for killing Ms Lou and 10 years for causing the death of Ms Jeon, with a total effective sentence of 14 years.

He will be eligible for parole in December 2031 after serving 9 years.