A Senior Police Constable, who tried to swindle money out of a stall operator by fabricating a fund raising exercise for a Police football team, was found guilty of deception at Kwun Tong Court today (Friday).

Magistrate Mr John Glass adjourned sentencing until June 16, pending a background report. The defendant was remanded in the custody of the Correctional Services Department.

Suen Yik-wah, 46, attached to the Patrol Sub-Unit of Sai Kung Police Station (SKPS), was charged by the ICAC with one count of attempting to dishonestly obtain $3,000 from Ng Chau-lung.

He had falsely represented to Ng that the money would be used to sponsor a football team from SKPS to take part in a match in the Mainland.

Suen joined the police force in June 1974, and was posted to SKPS in July 1998.

The court heard that on June 23 last year, Suen visited Ng's vegetable stall in Sai Kung in plain clothes and requested Ng to sponsor a football match organised by SKPS.

Suen claimed that another stall had already sponsored $10,000, and the average amount of sponsorship was around $2,000 to $3,000.

Upon Suen's request, Ng promised to sponsor $3,000 and asked Suen if a receipt would be issued to him.

Suen replied that only a plaque would be given as an acknowledgement.

Ng later found out from SKPS and Wong Tai Sin Police Station that no such a football match was being organised.

The case arose from a referral from the Police. It was originally alleged that a police officer might have solicited bribes from a vegetable stall operator.

The prosecution was today represented by a court prosecutor, assisted by ICAC officer Carmen Tam Wai-man.