Ex-primary school staff gets 15 months for fraud and theft
2015-6-30
A former staff member of a primary school, who was charged by the ICAC, was today (Tuesday) sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment at the Tsuen Wan Magistracy after admitting that she had deceived over $330,000 and pocketed more than $82,000 from the school.
Ng Kit-yu, 32, former assistant clerical officer of the Church of Christ in China Kei Chun Primary School (Kei Chun), today pleaded guilty to eight charges – four of fraud, contrary to Section 16A(1) of the Theft Ordinance; and four of theft, contrary to Section 9 of the Theft Ordinance.
In sentencing, Magistrate Mr Cheang Kei-hong said the offences committed by the defendant were serious in nature and constituted a breach of trust.
The magistrate added that the starting point of 27 months in jail was reduced to 15 months after taking into account the defendant’s guilty plea and various mitigating factors.
The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above offences of fraud and theft.
The court heard that at the material time, the defendant was an assistant clerical officer of Kei Chun. She was responsible for handling accounts and arranging payments for the school.
In order to settle payments with vendors or service providers, the defendant would prepare payment vouchers attached with invoices for submission to the headmaster of Kei Chun for approval.
The court heard that between November 2009 and April 2013, the defendant falsely represented to the then headmaster of Kei Chun that 12 duplicated invoices issued by a music company; an invoice issued by the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs Association of Hong Kong; and other bogus invoices were due to be paid.
Believing that the invoices were genuine and due to be paid, the then headmaster approved them and signed cheques for over $330,000 in total. The defendant deposited the cash cheques into her own bank account.
By purportedly paying a basin meal, the defendant stole over $40,000 from the bank account of the school in May 2012.
The defendant also deposited into her personal bank account three cheques for over $41,000 in total drawn on the account of the School Parent Teacher Association between November 2009 and June 2011, the court was told.
Kei Chun had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Stella Lau.
Ng Kit-yu, 32, former assistant clerical officer of the Church of Christ in China Kei Chun Primary School (Kei Chun), today pleaded guilty to eight charges – four of fraud, contrary to Section 16A(1) of the Theft Ordinance; and four of theft, contrary to Section 9 of the Theft Ordinance.
In sentencing, Magistrate Mr Cheang Kei-hong said the offences committed by the defendant were serious in nature and constituted a breach of trust.
The magistrate added that the starting point of 27 months in jail was reduced to 15 months after taking into account the defendant’s guilty plea and various mitigating factors.
The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above offences of fraud and theft.
The court heard that at the material time, the defendant was an assistant clerical officer of Kei Chun. She was responsible for handling accounts and arranging payments for the school.
In order to settle payments with vendors or service providers, the defendant would prepare payment vouchers attached with invoices for submission to the headmaster of Kei Chun for approval.
The court heard that between November 2009 and April 2013, the defendant falsely represented to the then headmaster of Kei Chun that 12 duplicated invoices issued by a music company; an invoice issued by the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs Association of Hong Kong; and other bogus invoices were due to be paid.
Believing that the invoices were genuine and due to be paid, the then headmaster approved them and signed cheques for over $330,000 in total. The defendant deposited the cash cheques into her own bank account.
By purportedly paying a basin meal, the defendant stole over $40,000 from the bank account of the school in May 2012.
The defendant also deposited into her personal bank account three cheques for over $41,000 in total drawn on the account of the School Parent Teacher Association between November 2009 and June 2011, the court was told.
Kei Chun had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Stella Lau.