Mum told murdered Chinese student was ‘commentator’

Apr 29 2009 by Garry Willey, The Journal

A CHINESE murder victim who was involved in an internet betting scam told his mother he was earning thousands of pounds working as a football commentator.

Zhen Xing Yang – known as Kevin – was slaughtered alongside his girlfriend Xi Zhou – known as Cici – in a horrifying attack in their Tyneside home.

Prosecutors claim Guang Hui Cao, 31, of Morpeth, Northumberland, killed the pair. Although no clear motive has been established it is known Kevin was running a fraudulent betting operation on the internet.

But in a statement read to murder jurors at Newcastle Crown Court Kevin’s mum, Qu Zhen, who lives in China, told how he would send her thousands of pounds he told her he had made commentating on football matches.

Mrs Zhen said: “In December 2007 I got £25,000 from Zhen and in January 2008 another £20,000. He said the money was from his wages as he was doing football commentary.

“He said he had someone working for him on the football commentary and as a result had earned more than usual.

“I asked him if he was involved in gambling but he said he didn’t gamble on football, he just worked on the commentary.

“He said he would go to football stadiums and make phone calls and report the football matches.”

Mrs Zhen went on to say her son’s bank account had been cancelled by his bank because there had been so much money going in and out.