The Liaoning High People's Court has dismissed the appeal of a convicted tomb robber and confirmed his original sentence of death with a two-year reprieve, Xinhua News Agency reported on Wednesday.

Yao Yuzhong, the 55-year-old ringleader of a gang, was found guilty of robbery, digging up ancient tombs of historical value and selling relics stolen from the Hongshan cultural relics protection region.

He was originally sentenced by the Chaoyang Intermediate People's Court of Liaoning province in April 2016.