Jailed former policeman gets 10 months for bribery in fixing burglary case
2001-12-13
A jailed former policeman was today (Thursday) ordered by the District Court to serve an additional 10 months and 28 days for accepting a bribe to arrange for fixing a burglary case and selling dutiable brandy in a separate case.
Lau Kwok, 38, who is serving a four-year jail term for fixing a wounding case involving triad members, today pleaded guilty to one count of accepting an advantage and two of dealing with dutiable goods.
The court ordered the remaining four charges - two of bribery and two of dealing with dutiable goods - to be left on file.
In sentencing, Deputy Judge Anthony Kwok said while the public expect a law enforcement officer to have a high level of integrity, the defendant's conduct has breached his duty and damaged the public's confidence in the force by accepting advantages.
The judge added that the 18-month starting point for the bribery offence was reduced to 10 months, taking into account various factors, including the defendant's guilty plea.
The 28 days' jail was imposed on the defendant for selling dutiable goods. The judge ordered the two sentences to run consecutively.
The court heard that on May 22 last year, Lau, attached to a Patrol Sub-Unit of Kowloon City Police Station, approached an ICAC informant and asked him to find buyers for brandy.
Lau was then introduced to an ICAC undercover officer "Ah Chi".
On May 25 and May 27 last year, "Ah Chi" purchased from Lau two lots of dutiable goods, with six bottles of cognac each.
According to the Customs and Excise Department, about $4,680 duties could have been levied on these goods.
The court also heard that on June 12 last year, the informant, with ICAC's approval, told Lau that his brother-in-law was arrested by police officers of Cheung Sha Wan Police Station for suspected burglary and handling stolen goods, and asked for Lau's as sistance.
Lau told the informant that he would require $2,000 as "consultation fee" to fix the case.
On June 24 last year, the informant met Lau and gave him $1,200.
Lau agreed to contact the investigating officer for fixing the burglary case or reducing the charges arising from the case.
The prosecution was today represented by Government Counsel Gary Lam, assisted by ICAC officer Kitty Lau.
Lau Kwok, 38, who is serving a four-year jail term for fixing a wounding case involving triad members, today pleaded guilty to one count of accepting an advantage and two of dealing with dutiable goods.
The court ordered the remaining four charges - two of bribery and two of dealing with dutiable goods - to be left on file.
In sentencing, Deputy Judge Anthony Kwok said while the public expect a law enforcement officer to have a high level of integrity, the defendant's conduct has breached his duty and damaged the public's confidence in the force by accepting advantages.
The judge added that the 18-month starting point for the bribery offence was reduced to 10 months, taking into account various factors, including the defendant's guilty plea.
The 28 days' jail was imposed on the defendant for selling dutiable goods. The judge ordered the two sentences to run consecutively.
The court heard that on May 22 last year, Lau, attached to a Patrol Sub-Unit of Kowloon City Police Station, approached an ICAC informant and asked him to find buyers for brandy.
Lau was then introduced to an ICAC undercover officer "Ah Chi".
On May 25 and May 27 last year, "Ah Chi" purchased from Lau two lots of dutiable goods, with six bottles of cognac each.
According to the Customs and Excise Department, about $4,680 duties could have been levied on these goods.
The court also heard that on June 12 last year, the informant, with ICAC's approval, told Lau that his brother-in-law was arrested by police officers of Cheung Sha Wan Police Station for suspected burglary and handling stolen goods, and asked for Lau's as sistance.
Lau told the informant that he would require $2,000 as "consultation fee" to fix the case.
On June 24 last year, the informant met Lau and gave him $1,200.
Lau agreed to contact the investigating officer for fixing the burglary case or reducing the charges arising from the case.
The prosecution was today represented by Government Counsel Gary Lam, assisted by ICAC officer Kitty Lau.