ZHUHAI, Guangdong: Five members of a gang who operated "sex chat rooms" on the Internet from here were sentenced to two to four years in prison, the Guangzhou-based Southern Metropolis Daily reported yesterday.

One of those sentenced is a college graduate, Li Wei, who managed the network. Li, it was alleged, made over 120,000 yuan ($17,600) and was sentenced to two years behind bars with three years' probation, which simply means no time in prison if he stays clean for three years.

The Xiangzhou district court here ruled Li, 28, was just an "accessory to the crime".