China's most-wanted couple have been sentenced to death in southwest China's Guizhou Province for forcing 23 girls, mostly primary and middle school pupils, into prostitution.

Zhao Qingmei, a former provisional teacher at Xinfa Town Primary School and her husband Chi Yao, also a teacher who taught at Xinfa Town Middle School in Weining County, were found guilty of procuring 22 girls from the two schools, including six under the age of 14, and a village girl. The offences took place from March to June 2006 in Liupanshui City and Nayong County.

Zhao was sentenced to death and Chi got a suspended death sentence, according to the Bijie Intermediate People's Court. Weining is under the jurisdiction of the Bijie region.

The couple were arrested on August 10 this year in Panzhihua City of Sichuan Province after the Ministry of Public Security issued a Class-A arrest warrant and offered a 100,000-yuan reward for them.

Another couple involved in the case were also sentenced. Hai Long, also a teacher at Xinfa Town Middle School, got 11 years in jail and was fined 10,000 yuan (1,358 U.S. dollars). Hai's wife, Li Huiyan, was jailed for 13 years and was fined 40,000 yuan.

The gang members made 32,350 yuan from their prostitution ring.

The count also sentenced 14 others involved to prison terms ranging from one year to a life sentence for a local female farmer Xu Xiaoyan.

It is still unknown whether appeals against sentence will be made. The case was heard Friday, December 14 and an appeal against a death sentence must be lodged within 10 days.

(Xinhua News Agency December 19, 2007)