Duo admit perversion by obstructing police actions against illegal sale of liquor
2018-12-21
A security supervisor of an industrial building and an operator of an unlicensed bar, charged by the ICAC, admitted at the Tuen Mun Magistracy today (December 21) that they had perverted public justice by obstructing law enforcement actions by the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) against illegal sale of liquor at the bar.
Lee Lap-kan, 35, security supervisor of the industrial building in Tuen Mun, and Zhao Qinwa, 49, operator of the unlicensed bar, pleaded guilty to a joint charge of conspiracy to pervert the course of public justice, contrary to Common Law and Section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.
Acting Principal Magistrate Miss Ivy Chui Yee-mei remanded the defendants in the custody of the Correctional Services Department until January 15 next year for sentence, pending background reports.
The case arose from a corruption complaint referred by the HKPF. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above offence.
The court heard that since 2006, Lee had been a security guard of an industrial building in Shek Pai Tau Road, Tuen Mun. In 2015, he was promoted to night shift security supervisor. Zhao was operating an unlicensed bar cum karaoke establishment in the industrial building.
In October 2017, police officers posing as “customers” carried out an operation against the bar. The operation turned overt, resulting in the arrest of Zhao for selling liquor without a licence, possessing liquor for sale without a licence, and operating a karaoke establishment without a permit.
Prior to the operation, Zhao was seen checking her mobile phone at the bar. When the “customers” were about to leave the bar, they were stopped by Zhao who asked them not to open the door as there were police officers outside.
The court heard that having suspected someone might have tipped Zhao off about the operation, a police inspector inspected her mobile phone. The inspector found that she received a call from Lee and there were text messages between them before the operation turned overt.
Subsequently, Lee was located at the security control room of the industrial building. An inspection of his phone found messages with Zhao about police actions at the building since August 2017.
When interviewed under caution by police officers, Lee admitted that Zhao had treated him free liquor and meal and given him money for his assistance.
The HKPF referred the suspected corruption case to the ICAC for investigation. During the investigation, the HKPF had rendered full assistance to the ICAC, the court was told.
The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Priscilia Lam, assisted by ICAC officer Wilson Tang.
Lee Lap-kan, 35, security supervisor of the industrial building in Tuen Mun, and Zhao Qinwa, 49, operator of the unlicensed bar, pleaded guilty to a joint charge of conspiracy to pervert the course of public justice, contrary to Common Law and Section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.
Acting Principal Magistrate Miss Ivy Chui Yee-mei remanded the defendants in the custody of the Correctional Services Department until January 15 next year for sentence, pending background reports.
The case arose from a corruption complaint referred by the HKPF. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above offence.
The court heard that since 2006, Lee had been a security guard of an industrial building in Shek Pai Tau Road, Tuen Mun. In 2015, he was promoted to night shift security supervisor. Zhao was operating an unlicensed bar cum karaoke establishment in the industrial building.
In October 2017, police officers posing as “customers” carried out an operation against the bar. The operation turned overt, resulting in the arrest of Zhao for selling liquor without a licence, possessing liquor for sale without a licence, and operating a karaoke establishment without a permit.
Prior to the operation, Zhao was seen checking her mobile phone at the bar. When the “customers” were about to leave the bar, they were stopped by Zhao who asked them not to open the door as there were police officers outside.
The court heard that having suspected someone might have tipped Zhao off about the operation, a police inspector inspected her mobile phone. The inspector found that she received a call from Lee and there were text messages between them before the operation turned overt.
Subsequently, Lee was located at the security control room of the industrial building. An inspection of his phone found messages with Zhao about police actions at the building since August 2017.
When interviewed under caution by police officers, Lee admitted that Zhao had treated him free liquor and meal and given him money for his assistance.
The HKPF referred the suspected corruption case to the ICAC for investigation. During the investigation, the HKPF had rendered full assistance to the ICAC, the court was told.
The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Priscilia Lam, assisted by ICAC officer Wilson Tang.