A funeral service provider, charged by the ICAC, was today (Thursday) sentenced to six months' imprisonment at Tuen Mun Magistracy for conspiracy to offer over $9,800 in illegal commissions to a mortuary staff of the Hospital Authority for referring business.

The defendant, 60, proprietor of a funeral service company (Company A), earlier pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to offer advantages to a public servant, contrary to Section 8(2) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and Section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.

In sentencing, Magistrate Mr Kwok Wai-kin said pursuant to a sentencing guideline of the Court of Appeal, such a bribery offence warranted a custodial sentence.

The court heard that Company A was a coffin wholesaler as well as a funeral service provider based in Yuen Long.

In August 2008, the defendant established dealings with the Tuen Mun Hospital, where he came to know a mortuary attendant of the hospital.

The defendant admitted that he had approached the mortuary attendant for referring business to him because the latter would have contacts with the families of the deceased. In return, the defendant would offer commissions to the mortuary attendant.

Between August and December 2008, the defendant offered to the mortuary attendant a total of over $9,800 as commissions for referring business, the court was told.

The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Phoebe Saesam.