A Chinese man who took part in a violent extortion operation to force a compatriot to pay £5,000 has been sentenced to one year by Judge Dominic Lynch at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
The victim, a Chinese student, was told his fingers would be cut off with a machete if he did not produce the money.
Yao Tang (19), with an address at Synnot Street, Dublin, pleaded guilty to assault with intent to rob on November 12th, 2000.
Judge Lynch said it was a serious matter. Tang was the youngest of the group involved and had pleaded guilty, otherwise he would have faced a stiffer sentence.
Det Garda Ciaran Gallagher said the victim was terrified and traumatised and had moved address.
Mr John O'Hanlon, defending, told Judge Lynch his client had become duped into the scheme and was the youngest involved. He said his client intended to offer US $2,000 as compensation to the victim. He had no previous convictions in Ireland or China and came from a "well-off family".
He said Tang's visa and passport has expired and he would accept deportation voluntarily.