No jail time for billionaire in a case of unlawfully confinement

Vancouver billionaire Ting Kwok David Ho pleaded guilty to unlawfully
 confining a prostitute in 2008, receiving a one-year suspended
 sentence and a $5,000 fine by a provincial court judge

Vancouver billionaire Ting Kwok David Ho, who pleaded guilty Thursday to unlawfully confining a prostitute in 2008, received a one-year suspended sentence and a $5,000 fine by a provincial court judge.

The Hong Kong-born businessman, scion to a tobacco fortune, spent a drug-fueled night having paid sex with a Lava Links chat line worker he picked up Dec. 28 that year, the court heard.

“They went upstairs to Mr. Ho’s bedroom where they smoked cocaine, engaged in role playing and consensual sexual activities,” court documents revealed.

Less than five hours later, the now 60-year-old Ho prevented the prostitute, identified only as K.N.R., from leaving his Shaughnessy home.

The court heard how he was trying to prevent her from leaving without a jacket or transport at 4:45 a.m. in snowy conditions.

“He was trying to get Ms. R to allow him to drive her to her home, which was some distance away,” the judge said.

“In attempting to assist Ms. R, Mr. Ho went too far.”

K.N.R., who has agoraphobia – a fear of being trapped – hurt her Achilles tendon and suffered a bone fracture trying to escape. The court heard how she scaled and jumped from an eight-foot fence outside the home.

Minutes before her injury, she phoned her father on her cell phone and screamed, “Dad, help me! I’m on a bad date,” before dialing 911, the court heard.

She didn’t know where she was, but managed to run to a neighbour’s house – topless and dressed only in panties – where police were called again.
The court determined Ho did not hurt K.N.R. physically. A search of his home, however, uncovered 13 weapons, including an unregistered and loaded 9mm Glock handgun.
Ho, said to have numerous business connections in North America and Asia, will also have to serve 45 hours community service, is banned from owning firearms for 10 years, and must take drug counselling, the judge ruled. He will also have to report to a probation officer.
He previously breached bail conditions last February by unknowingly carrying a switchblade through airport security. The judge reasoned in his sentencing it would be “ludicrous” if Ho had known he was carrying a knife, as he used to own local carrier Harmony Airways.
The court found him guilty of three charges: unlawful confinement, breaching bail and possession of a restricted firearm. Originally, he faced eight charges.
K.N.R. has since filed suit against Ho, alleging he injured her.