Tycoon's concubine sues over 'eviction'
The mistress of a shipping tycoon is suing her lover after he tried to kick her and their son out of the family home they have been living in for 18 years.
Yao Chin-chieh stated in a High Court writ filed yesterday that she had begun a relationship with Koo Kou-mingin in 1968 and had given birth to the first of their sons, John Koo Chee-an, the following year.
In 1970, Ms Yao became Mr Koo's mistress and they began living together in a rented flat in Conduit Road.
'Ms Yao was introduced by Mr Koo to his wife and parents and was accepted by them as his concubine,' the writ said, adding that the businessman split his time between his two families.
The writ described Mr Koo as 'a successful businessman and ... the ultimate beneficial owner of or in ultimate control of a large group of shipping companies called The Valles Group, which includes Valles Steamship Company Limited'.
Mr Koo controls the shipping group through his ownership of Prudential International Holding Corporation, a subsidiary of Maritime Alliance Inc which he also controls.
The writ said Ms Yao had taken over all duties as a common-law wife after Mr Koo's wife died in 1971. In 1983, she moved into the main residence with her family.
In 1986, Mr Koo promised Ms Yao he would buy her a flat in Kennedy Road 'as their own home' and that her name would be added to the property title.
Around 1996, the relationship soured.
Last year, Ms Yao discovered her name had not been added to the title as 'promised' by her lover after court proceedings for possession of the property.
