A former purchasing manager of a toys company (Company A), charged by the ICAC, was today (Thursday) sentenced to 21 months' imprisonment at District Court for accepting $730,000 in illegal rebates from suppliers and misappropriating cash sponsorships totalling $486,000.

The defendant, 37, earlier pleaded guilty to four counts of agent accepting advantages, contrary to Section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance, and one of theft.

In sentencing, Judge Garry Tallentire said he had to mete out a custodial sentence on the defendant in view of the seriousness of the bribery and theft offences.

The court heard that at the time of the offences, the defendant was employed by Company A as a purchasing manager. She was responsible for placing orders of raw materials with suppliers.

Between June 2004 and February 2008, the defendant accepted rebates totalling over $719,000 and 14,400 renminbi from four suppliers as rewards for placing orders with them.

The illegal rebates were paid to the defendant either by cash or deposits into her bank accounts.

The court also heard that Company A received cash sponsorships from various suppliers for the purchase of gifts for lucky draws in staff functions. The defendant was assigned to collect such cash sponsorships from the suppliers concerned.

Between January 2004 and January 2008, the defendant pocketed a total of over $486,900 in cash sponsorships, without the consent of her employer, the court was told.

The prosecution was today represented by Public Prosecutor Sheroy Tam, assisted by ICAC officers Ringo Yung and Paul Lau.