Help for murder victims’ families

Aug 18 2008 by Chris Robinson, The Journal

FAMILY members of two murdered Chinese graduates have been offered fast track entry into the UK to help detectives with their investigation.

Northumbria Police are working with the Chinese Embassy in London to speed up any out-standing Visa requirements so they can be flown to the North East.

It comes as fresh allegations about Zhen Xing Yang reveal he forged documentation to gain a place at Newcastle University showing that he had graduated from a course in Cardiff.

Mr Yang and his girlfriend Xi Zhou, both 25, suffered severe head injuries during a frenzied attack in their ground floor flat in Croydon Road, Fenham.

Their bodies were discovered by police on Saturday, August 9.

Last night detectives are said to have followed up claims than an international criminal syndicate ordered the killings. Officers from the region have now flown to Beijing to help solve the murders.

Mr Yang, from Dalian and known as Kevin, was exposed last week operating as an agent in an internet betting scam relaying Premier League football scores back to China in a bid to help gamblers due to a time delay.

After a three-day investigation by The Journal we uncovered chilling threats made to the graduate on Mandarin-speaking forums online as well as evidence he offered fake international driving licences, cut-price toiletries and college papers for students to present back home who could not complete their studies in the North East.

Police have revealed that the MA International Human Resources graduate had dropped out of a Cardiff University undergraduate degree course in 2005, before he gained a place on a post graduate course at Newcastle University.

A Cardiff University spokesperson said: “Cardiff University can confirm that Zhen Xing Yang attended Cardiff Business School from 2004-5. Mr Yang did not continue with his course and left without an award.”

Mr Yang, who had also been tortured before his death, started the Newcastle course in September 2005 and graduated a year later. While studying he met his girlfriend, known as Cici, who had graduated with a MA in applied linguistics at the same time. She had been a pre-sessional English student from 2004 to 2005. It is understood Newcastle University is investigating the alleged forged qualifications.

A spokeswoman added: “We understand the investigation is ongoing in relation to Zhen Xing Yang and it would be inappropriate to comment.” Detectives from Scotland Yard’s serious crime directorate, which has officers specialising in investigating executions by Chinese gangs, have joined the team.

A Northumbria Police spokeswoman added: “The families have expressed a desire to come to the UK in the near future. As a result officers will be working with the Chinese Embassy in London to fast track any outstanding Visa requirements.” Anyone with information on the murders should contact police on 0345 604-3043.