Prison on the cards for footy pro over rape

A 26-year-old professional football player has been convicted yesterday of raping a 17-year-old girl in Tai Tam in 2021.

A high court jury of three men and three women voted by a 5-1 margin to convict Yip Ka-yu after deliberating for four hours.

Deputy judge Amanda Woodcock adjourned the case to October 5 for mitigation and sentencing, remanding Yip.

The victim, 19 now, told the court that she and Yip met on March 11, 2021, when she was chatting and singing with friends at Siu Sai Wan harborfront.

After Yip came to her and complimented her on her singing, the two stayed in touch on Instagram and almost chatted every day.

On March 16, Yip invited the teenager to dinner after playing football. They bought takeout food at Tai On Building in Shau Kei Wan and Yip drove to Tai Tam.

While the two were chatting after eating, Yip suddenly hugged and kissed her.

The girl tried to push him away but failed, adding she was nervous so did not tell Yip to stay away or not to touch her.

She admitted she trusted Yip at the time and had a crush on him. When Yip touched her breasts and kissed her on the lips, she asked him whether he had a girlfriend and treated all girls the same.

Yip replied: "Why do you think I'm a person like this?" The girl then apologized and patted him on the arm to comfort him.

However, Yip took off her pants and raped her without using a condom, despite her resisting and saying she did not want to have sex with him.

She gave up struggling and offered him oral sex so the assault could finish quickly.

She said she felt uncomfortable giving him oral sex but Yip insisted she continued.

After Yip drove her home to Siu Sai Wan, the girl found blood stains on her underpants and told her friend about it.

She took an emergency contraceptive pill and called the police.

The case was originally heard by a seven-strong jury, but a male juror fell asleep on the second day of the trial last Thursday and was discharged.