A Chinese visa overstayer was sentenced to five years in prison Thursday at the Tokyo District Court by a group of lay and professional judges for robbery resulting in injury at a convenience store in 2001.
Prosecutors had demanded a seven-year prison term, while the defense lawyers argued 3 1/2 years were appropriate. The trial was the second involving lay judges at the Tokyo District Court since the system was launched in May.
The court said Tian Changxi, 35, had committed a dangerous crime out of selfish motives, and hurt the victim both physically and mentally. Although the crime was not carefully planned and Tian had failed to actually snatch any money from the store, there was no room for sympathy, the court said.