A former training manager of a trading company, charged by the ICAC, was today (Wednesday) sentenced to 15 months' of imprisonment at the District Court for deceiving the company into awarding training contracts worth over $1.7 million to two companies under his control.

The defendant, 43, was earlier convicted of two counts of fraud.

In passing sentence, Deputy District Court Judge Eddie Yip noted that a custodial sentence had to be imposed as the offences committed by the defendant constituted a serious breach of trust.

The court heard that the defendant joined the company in June 2002 as a training manager and was responsible for identifying training service providers and arranging training courses for company staff.

The company requires all employees to declare any financial interests with any supplier and contractor that provides services.

The court heard that between February 2006 and September 2007, upon the defendant's recommendation, the company awarded a total of seven training contracts to a consultancy company, worth a total of $1,056,500.

Another five training contracts at a total sum of $670,966 were awarded to another consultancy company between August 2006 and October 2007.

The court heard that both consultancy companies were set up by the defendant's wife in August 1997 and November 1998 respectively under the defendant's instruction, while his parents were named as directors and shareholders.

The court heard that the defendant had concealed from the company his and his parents' interests in the two consultancy companies with intent to deceive the company into awarding the said contracts.

The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Mr Wong Po-wing and assisted by ICAC officer Wilson Sim.