The defendants undertook illegal sand mining for profit and were charged with illegal mining in criminal proceedings. Alongside the criminal action, the People's Procuratorate of Yiyang City of Hunan Province filed a civil public interest action, requesting that the defendants assume joint and several liability for ecology and environment damage caused by their illegal sand mining, and apologize for their actions. The Intermediate People's Court of Yiyang City of Hunan Province ordered the defendants to pay compensation in varying amounts and to apologise publicly. The result was reaffirmed by the High People’s Court of Hunan Province on appeal.