A Chinese man has been sentenced to eight years in prison for stealing nearly VND400 million (US$17,613) onboard a Vietnamese flight.

The Hanoi People’s Court announced the punishment upon Ding Ying Jun, 47, during a trial on Friday evening.

Ding was slapped with an eight-year jail term for stealing nearly VND400 million ($17,613) from two passengers on a Ho Chi Minh City- Hanoi flight in April.

According to the indictment, Ding arrived at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City on April 15.

On the following day, the Chinese man traveled to Hanoi via flight VN 216 operated by national carrier Vietnam Airlines. He bought a business class seat.

Upon departure, Ding moved to a seat near Le Cao Minh, a passenger from Ho Chi Minh City, and Cu Anh Tuan, a Hanoi resident.

About 40 minutes into the journey, Ding opened the luggage shelf and took some VND100 million ($4,403) and $400 from Tuan’s handbag and later stole an envelope containing $13,000 from Minh’s suitcase.

Chief flight attendant Ta Thi Thu Huong grew suspicious of Ding as the Chinese man was sneaking back to his seat, and immediately suggested Tuan and Minh check their belongings.

The two Vietnamese passengers later stated their money was missing.

However, the Chinese man kept insisting that he had not taken the cash.

As the stewardess walked away, he threw the money back into the luggage shelf.

Following the arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, Ding was transferred to police unit at the airdrome.

Despite his continuous denial, competent authorities were able to gather enough evidence against the Chinese passenger and charged him with theft.

A source added that Ding was being wanted by Chinese authorities for the same offense during the time of the incident.

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