Two Assistant Supervisors (D1 and D2) of a cemetery, charged by the ICAC, were today (Monday) each sentenced to one year's imprisonment at Kwun Tong Magistracy for accepting bribes in relation to the exhumation of deceased persons.

D1, 55, and D2, 52, were respectively found guilty of two counts and one count of agent accepting an advantage, contrary to Section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.

In sentencing, Magistrate Mr Sham Siu-man described the bribery offences as cancers. The court was relentless in meting out custodial sentences to the corrupt so as to serve as a deterrent, the magistrate added.

The court heard that the cemetery allots burial lots to Chinese permanent residents in Hong Kong, including those on a non-renewable lease for 10 years.

Upon the expiration of lease of the burial lots, the families of the deceased will have to apply for an exhumation permit from the cemetery, and engage one of the listed contractors to conduct exhumation.

The defendants were responsible for supervising the exhumation of deceased persons at the cemetery.

The court heard that on July 27, 2007, D1 accepted $500 from a family member of a deceased person as rewards for supervising the exhumation of the deceased person concerned.

On another occasion in July 2008, D1 accepted $100 from an operator of a tombstone factory, which was a listed contractor, for the same reason.

On July 26, 2008, D2 accepted $500 from a staff member of a tombstone factory, which was another listed contractor, as rewards for bringing forward the day of exhumation and supervising the exhumation of a deceased person, the court was told.

The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Tommy Ho, assisted by ICAC officer Raymond Lam.