Postman charged by ICAC sentenced for using false permits for free parking at government car park
2023-11-16
A Postman, charged by the ICAC, was today (November 16) handed a 180-hour community service order at the Shatin Magistrates’ Courts for using false parking permits to occupy a parking space at a car park of a Government Offices Building for free for about six months. The offences were revealed in the course of a corruption investigation.
Man Chun-him, 39, Postman of the Hongkong Post, earlier pleaded guilty to two counts of using false instruments, contrary to section 73 of the Crimes Ordinance.
In sentencing, Magistrate Mr David Chum Yau-fong said the offences committed by the defendant were serious in nature. Having considered the defendant’s guilty plea and other mitigating factors, a non-custodial sentence was imposed on the defendant.
At the material time, the defendant worked at the Tai Po Delivery Office in the Tai Po Government Offices Building. The car park of the Tai Po Government Offices Building was managed by Guardian Property Management Limited (Guardian). Vehicles with temporary parking permits issued by the Hongkong Post or other relevant government departments were allowed to be parked at the car park during working days for free.
The court heard that between April and October 2022, the defendant parked a car at the aforesaid car park by showing to four security guards of Guardian two temporary parking permits purportedly issued by the Hongkong Post, with the intention of inducing them to accept the permits as genuine.
The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Enquiries revealed that the aforementioned car was parked at the Government Offices Building car park on 94 working days under the aforesaid false temporary parking permits. However, the Hongkong Post had never issued the relevant temporary parking permits to the defendant.
The Hongkong Post and Guardian had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Public Prosecutor Claudia Ng, assisted by ICAC officer Samuel Wong.
The ICAC reminds civil servants to uphold a high standard of integrity. Obtaining personal gain by corrupt or deceptive means would be subject to criminal liability.
Man Chun-him, 39, Postman of the Hongkong Post, earlier pleaded guilty to two counts of using false instruments, contrary to section 73 of the Crimes Ordinance.
In sentencing, Magistrate Mr David Chum Yau-fong said the offences committed by the defendant were serious in nature. Having considered the defendant’s guilty plea and other mitigating factors, a non-custodial sentence was imposed on the defendant.
At the material time, the defendant worked at the Tai Po Delivery Office in the Tai Po Government Offices Building. The car park of the Tai Po Government Offices Building was managed by Guardian Property Management Limited (Guardian). Vehicles with temporary parking permits issued by the Hongkong Post or other relevant government departments were allowed to be parked at the car park during working days for free.
The court heard that between April and October 2022, the defendant parked a car at the aforesaid car park by showing to four security guards of Guardian two temporary parking permits purportedly issued by the Hongkong Post, with the intention of inducing them to accept the permits as genuine.
The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Enquiries revealed that the aforementioned car was parked at the Government Offices Building car park on 94 working days under the aforesaid false temporary parking permits. However, the Hongkong Post had never issued the relevant temporary parking permits to the defendant.
The Hongkong Post and Guardian had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Public Prosecutor Claudia Ng, assisted by ICAC officer Samuel Wong.
The ICAC reminds civil servants to uphold a high standard of integrity. Obtaining personal gain by corrupt or deceptive means would be subject to criminal liability.