Chinese 'contract killer' jailed

The body of Mi Yi Ho was found in Isoline Street

A Chinese man has been sentenced to 18 years jail for the murder of a pregnant woman in east Belfast.

During the sentencing of Siu Ching Wong, 44, from Hong Kong, judge Mr Justice Hart said the death had "all the hallmarks of a contract killing".

Mi Yi Ho, 29, also called Candy, was strangled at her Isoline Street home almost 10 years ago.

Belfast Crown Court heard she knew her killer, who was also a close friend of her married lover.

The victim worked as a waitress in a Chinese restaurant in Carrickfergus, County Antrim.

She knew her killer from her native Hong Kong, and also knew that Wong was a friend of Jimmy Yeun, her married lover by whom she was 12 weeks pregnant.

In 2001, Mr Yeun, who ran a take-away in Dundonald, was acquitted of procuring Mi Yi Ho's murder.

Mr Justice Hart said it is not known if Wong was ever paid money for the murder, but he placed it in the same category as a professional or contract killing.

Wong, who spent a year in custody in Northern Ireland after he was extradited from China, will serve another 17 years in prison.

Mi Yi Ho's cousin Ken Tsang speaking outside court

Speaking outside the court Miss Ho's cousin Ken Tsang said the family were "very very pleased" at the conclusion of the case which he hoped would help his murdered cousin "rest in peace".

The officer who led the investigation, Detective Chief Inspector David Cunningham said the case had been "lengthy and challenging," involving the co-operation of policing agencies "on an international level".

"It is exactly 10 years to the day since Wong came to this country and he has been sentenced to 18 years," he said adding that "justice has been done for Miss Ho and her unborn child".