An Artisan of the then Urban Services Department (USD) was jailed for 30 months at District Court today (Tuesday) for bribing his supervisor and stealing burial property from coffins at the Cape Collinson Crematorium.

In sentencing, Judge Day said the crime committed by the defendant constituted a breach of trust, adding that he had considered the defendant ' s guilty plea and clear records.

Lam Pak-shing, 32, earlier pleaded guilty to one count of offering an advantage, and four counts of theft-related offences.

The court heard that between November 1, 1991 and October 26, 1999, Lam conspired with other Artisans Wong Chi-sum, Lee Kim-wah, Ko Yee-chiu and Siu Yat-heung to steal property belonging to unknown personal representatives of the estates of deceased perso ns.

They distributed among themselves less valuable stolen items, including clothes, trousers, rubber shoes and ties.

The group pawned or sold valuable objects, including gold and jade ornaments, ear-rings, finger-rings, necklaces and watches, and shared the proceeds.

The court also heard that the theft activities took place on a daily basis, involving more than 20 coffins every day. Lam obtained between $1,000 and $2,000 a month from the theft activities.

Between January 1, 1992 and December 31, 1993, Lam offered part of the stolen burial property to his supervisor, Senior Foreman Lau Tat-ho, as a reward for not reporting the thefts.

Ten others - two Senior Foremen, six Artisans, a Workman and a former Artisan - were arrested in relation to this case. They have been released on ICAC bail, pending further enquiries.

The prosecution was today represented by Government Counsel Kelvin Lee Ka-yun, assisted by ICAC officer Judy Cheung.