Peter Wai, 41, a former UK Border Force officer, and Bill Yuen, 66, a retired Hong Kong police superintendent, were sentenced on Thursday for spying for China and conducting shadow policing operations against Hong Kong pro-democracy activists in the UK. Wai received a 10-year prison sentence and Yuen was sentenced to eight years following their conviction at the Old Bailey under the National Security Act. The dual Chinese-British nationals were arrested after an unsuccessful attempt to abduct fraud suspect Monica Kwong from her West Yorkshire flat on 1 May 2024, with Wai operating under Yuen's instructions to gather intelligence on Hong Kong dissidents residing in Britain. The case represents one of the first prosecutions under the National Security Act, which was enacted in 2023 to address foreign interference and transnational repression on British soil.
Old Bailey Delivers 10-Year and 8-Year Prison Sentences
Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb sentenced Wai, from Staines-upon-Thames, Surrey, to 10 years in prison and Yuen, of Hackney, east London, to eight years during a televised sentencing on Thursday. The judge stated that the defendants' actions were "deliberate, concerted, and serious," inflicting "real and significant" damage that left targeted individuals feeling fearful and distressed. She characterized Wai's attitude towards his misconduct as "arrogant," stating he had a "sense of entitlement" to act as he wished.
After a two-month trial at the Old Bailey, the duo were found guilty of aiding a foreign intelligence service under the National Security Act. Wai was also convicted of misconduct in a public office by abusing the Home Office computer system to gather information about individuals of interest to Hong Kong authorities.
Former Officers Conducted Surveillance on Hong Kong Activists
Wai carried out shadow policing operations on Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters residing in the UK under the instructions of his handler Yuen. He gained entry to the Home Office database to collect intelligence while on sick leave and days off. Wai had served as a frontline uniformed constable with the Metropolitan Police stationed in Hounslow between February 2015 and April 2019 when he stepped down. The former Royal Navy serviceman was employed at Heathrow airport for the UK Border Force, as a special constable with City of London Police, and established a private security company when he commenced spying for Yuen.
Yuen, a former Hong Kong superintendent, was office manager at the Hong Kong Economic Trade Office (HKETO) in London, described as an extension in the UK of the Hong Kong government. Investigators connected Yuen directly back to the Chinese government's Security Bureau via his contact with another former police chief.
Targets included Hong Kong dissidents, with "special attention" paid to British politicians, including senior Tory MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith. Wai labelled Hong Kongers as "cockroaches" while he collected data on their vehicles, residences and social media profiles. Prominent activist Nathan Law, who has a bounty of one million Hong Kong dollars (£95,680) on his head, was photographed exiting the Oxford Union during one surveillance operation.
Failed Abduction Attempt Led to May 2024 Arrests
The defendants were arrested following an unsuccessful attempt to abduct Monica Kwong from her flat in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, on 1 May 2024. Kwong, a personal assistant, had fled Hong Kong with her young son in 2023 amidst allegations of involvement in a £16 million fraud, which she refuted.
Upon locating Kwong, the defendants, both married with children, assembled a team to infiltrate her home using deceit and later force. Matthew Trickett, 37, an immigration enforcement officer and former Royal Marine, attempted to deceive his way into the flat by claiming there was a flood. Security services, having been tipped off about the situation, were monitoring their activities and were already inside the flat when the team eventually forced entry.
Upon Wai's arrest, officers discovered his warrant card as a special police constable and a second, counterfeit card identifying him as a superintendent. Out of the 11 individuals detained under the National Security Act, only Trickett was charged alongside Wai and Yuen. However, a week later, Trickett took his own life in woodland near Maidenhead, Berkshire.
Prosecution Marks Early Application of 2023 National Security Act
The case is one of the first to be prosecuted under the National Security Act, which was enacted in 2023. Helen Flanagan, commander for Counter Terrorism Policing London, commented: "The activity of Wai and Yuen was truly chilling. They were spying and targeting individuals in the UK who were pro-democracy campaigners and were simply protesting against the Hong Kong and Chinese government and authorities and seeking sanctuary in the UK."
Frank Ferguson, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "These convictions send a clear message that transnational repression, foreign interference, unauthorised surveillance, and attempts to operate outside the law will not be tolerated on British soil. This conduct was deliberate, co-ordinated and carried out with full knowledge of who it would benefit, as demonstrated by extensive digital and financial material presented during the trial. The CPS will not hesitate to prosecute cases where evidence shows illegal attempts to interfere, intimidate, or operate covertly in the United Kingdom."
Jonathan Caplan KC, defending Yuen, contested the claim that the "highly regarded" former senior officer had "betrayed" his adopted nation, stating: "There is evidence he was very proud to be living in this country and thought a great deal of Great Britain." Aftab Jafferjee KC, representing Wai, argued there was no "harm" to the UK, stating: "It is not a spy ring in any traditional sense."
FAQ
What sentences did Peter Wai and Bill Yuen receive for spying for China?
Peter Wai received a 10-year prison sentence and Bill Yuen was sentenced to eight years on Thursday following their conviction at the Old Bailey under the National Security Act for conducting shadow policing operations on Hong Kong pro-democracy activists in the UK.
What led to the arrest of Peter Wai and Bill Yuen on 1 May 2024?
The dual Chinese-British nationals were arrested following an unsuccessful attempt to abduct Monica Kwong, a fraud suspect who had fled Hong Kong in 2023, from her flat in Pontefract, West Yorkshire. Security services were monitoring their activities and were already inside the flat when the team forced entry.
