TWO Chinese graduates were savagely executed as a warning to others who might cross those involved in the shady world of organised crime, a court heard.

Sadistic killer Guang Hui Cao was yesterday found guilty of the murders of Xi Zhou and Zhen Xing Yang, both 25, at their flat in Croydon Road, Newcastle, on August 7, last year.

Passing sentence, Mr Justice Wilkie told the statistician- turned-restaurant dishwasher: “I am satisfied that this was an execution carried out against two young people who had become involved in organised criminal activities.”

In some way, the pair crossed those involved in internet betting scams and the supply of forged documents.

He said the couple were assassinated in a “clearly calculated and savage way” to be held as an example to others.

Cao, who fled China to escape persecution as a disciple of the Falong Gong, screamed at the jury at Newcastle Crown Court, “You are killing me, you are the murderers”, as he was led away to start a double life sentence.

The 31-year-old, who must serve 33 years before he can apply for parole, had to be restrained by prison guards.

The popular Newcastle University graduates, known as Kevin Yang and Cici Zhou, were found two days after they were killed.

Miss Zhou was face down on a bed, her wrists bound with tape. She had been hit over the head with a heavy weapon.

Towelling was stuffed into her mouth, which had been taped shut. She suffocated about 90 minutes after the ordeal began.

Mr Yang had been hit with a hammer in the face and head. His throat was slashed.

The jury heard the couple, who have been buried together in China, were involved in an internet betting operation which saw £233,000 pass through their bank accounts in three years.

Both sent information from live football matches to Chinese gamblers who benefited from a TV time delay.

Mr Yang also supplied fake education certificates and other documents to Chinese students.

Cao, of Morpeth, Northumberland, claimed he was in the house at the time of the killings after being instructed by an anonymous blackmailer to rent a room with the couple.

After the murder, he changed and fled, taking laptops and mobile phones.

The Sim cards were later found, showing phone calls between Cao and the couple.

Police arrested him and a flake of Mr Yang’s blood was found on Cao’s glasses and in two recesses of his watch.

In his defence, Cao said they were killed by masked gunmen, who had tied him up.

The court heard Cao came to the UK to study English but remained after his visa expired, working as a kitchen porter and dishwasher in Newcastle’s China Town.