Ex-operator of one-woman brothels charged by ICAC jailed for perversion
2022-9-20
A former operator of one-woman brothels, charged by the ICAC, was today (September 20) sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts for conspiracy to pervert public justice by surrendering prostitutes for arrest in police raids under a tip-off arrangement and failing to surrender to custody.
Chan Siu-ki, 60, pleaded guilty before Magistrate Mr Jason Wan Siu-ming to two counts of conspiracy to pervert the course of public justice, contrary to Common Law and Section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance; and one count of failing to surrender to custody without reasonable cause, contrary to Section 9L(1) of the Criminal Procedure Ordinance.
The court heard that between May 2016 and March 2017, Chan and Cheung Yat-sing operated a number of one-woman brothels in two buildings in Wan Chai, which had been under enforcement actions undertaken by a Special Duty Squad of Wan Chai District of the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF).
Chan admitted that he and Cheung had conspired together with other persons to do acts which had a tendency to pervert the course of public justice. A pre-determined number of prostitutes would be arranged for arrest during forewarned police raids; and police investigation would only be conducted at the rooms occupied by those designated prostitutes.
The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Upon completion of the investigation, the ICAC sought legal advice from the Department of Justice and charged the duo with perversion in June 2019 pursuant to the legal advice. Cheung pleaded guilty to the charges and was eventually jailed for 15 months.
In October 2019, Chan pleaded not guilty to the perversion charges. A warrant for the arrest of Chan was issued after he failed to appear at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts for trial on January 2, 2020. He was arrested upon his return to Hong Kong from the Mainland on July 25 this year. An additional charge of failing to surrender to custody without reasonable cause was laid against him today.
The HKPF had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Keith Lam.
Chan Siu-ki, 60, pleaded guilty before Magistrate Mr Jason Wan Siu-ming to two counts of conspiracy to pervert the course of public justice, contrary to Common Law and Section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance; and one count of failing to surrender to custody without reasonable cause, contrary to Section 9L(1) of the Criminal Procedure Ordinance.
The court heard that between May 2016 and March 2017, Chan and Cheung Yat-sing operated a number of one-woman brothels in two buildings in Wan Chai, which had been under enforcement actions undertaken by a Special Duty Squad of Wan Chai District of the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF).
Chan admitted that he and Cheung had conspired together with other persons to do acts which had a tendency to pervert the course of public justice. A pre-determined number of prostitutes would be arranged for arrest during forewarned police raids; and police investigation would only be conducted at the rooms occupied by those designated prostitutes.
The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Upon completion of the investigation, the ICAC sought legal advice from the Department of Justice and charged the duo with perversion in June 2019 pursuant to the legal advice. Cheung pleaded guilty to the charges and was eventually jailed for 15 months.
In October 2019, Chan pleaded not guilty to the perversion charges. A warrant for the arrest of Chan was issued after he failed to appear at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts for trial on January 2, 2020. He was arrested upon his return to Hong Kong from the Mainland on July 25 this year. An additional charge of failing to surrender to custody without reasonable cause was laid against him today.
The HKPF had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Keith Lam.