The Taipei District Court says media celebrity Lucifer Chu should be
"severely punished" as he has caused psychological harm to his victim and
lacked awareness of gender equality.

He was sentenced to one year and 2 months of prison term earlier today on
sexual assault charges for forcibly kissing Taipei City Councilor Zhong
Pei-jun twice at a restaurant in 2022.

The verdict also says that Chu "showed no remorse whatsoever" during the
trial period as he continued to utilize his own media channels and on other
radio or TV programs to accuse Zhong of being politically motivated in going
after him.

The verdict says this led to Zhong facing a higher level of public scrutiny
and even criticism compared to other victims of sexual assault, resulting in
psychological distress.

Although Chu defended himself by saying that he was drunk at the time and not
clear what he was doing, the Court didn't believe him based on witnesses'
testimony, his communication records with Zhong and his confessions.

Chu has expressed disappointment at the verdict, saying he did not receive a
fair trial.

(JL)