Suspended jail sentence for role in smuggling 'scapegoat' plot
2000-9-19
An alleged member of a criminal syndicate was sentenced to two years' imprisonment, suspended for two years, at District Court today (Tuesday) for conspiring to arrange for a "scapegoat" to face prosecution for smuggling 347 projection TV sets worth about $10 million into the Mainland.
Ching Tsun, 27, shipping manager, was among five syndicate members who were earlier found guilty of conspiracy to pervert the course of public justice.
Judge Mary Yuen said a suspended sentence was imposed since Ching played a lesser role in the "scapegoat" plot.
Four other defendants were Lau Kam-wai, 47, Hui Yau-fun, 43, both company partners; Wong Siu-on, 35, company proprietor; and Ma Fai-ting, 44, company proprietor.
Lau and his wife Hui were jailed for three years and one year respectively. Wong received a two-and-a-half-years' jail sentence while Ma was sentenced to two years' imprisonment, suspended for three years.
The court was told that between January 20 and March 16 this year, the five defendants had conspired together and with Li Kwun-lung, Wong Wah-shing and Wong Tsz-chun to pervert the course of public justice.
They had agreed to obstruct and frustrate an investigation by the Customs and Excise Department (C&E) into the smuggling of 347 projection TV sets in five containers from Hong Kong into the Mainland.
They had also arranged for a person uninvolved in the smuggling activities to present himself to C&E officers and to falsely admit his responsibility. The "scapegoat" was offered a reward of $650,000.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Government Counsel Winnie Ho, assisted by ICAC officer Tang Chi-kong.
Ching Tsun, 27, shipping manager, was among five syndicate members who were earlier found guilty of conspiracy to pervert the course of public justice.
Judge Mary Yuen said a suspended sentence was imposed since Ching played a lesser role in the "scapegoat" plot.
Four other defendants were Lau Kam-wai, 47, Hui Yau-fun, 43, both company partners; Wong Siu-on, 35, company proprietor; and Ma Fai-ting, 44, company proprietor.
Lau and his wife Hui were jailed for three years and one year respectively. Wong received a two-and-a-half-years' jail sentence while Ma was sentenced to two years' imprisonment, suspended for three years.
The court was told that between January 20 and March 16 this year, the five defendants had conspired together and with Li Kwun-lung, Wong Wah-shing and Wong Tsz-chun to pervert the course of public justice.
They had agreed to obstruct and frustrate an investigation by the Customs and Excise Department (C&E) into the smuggling of 347 projection TV sets in five containers from Hong Kong into the Mainland.
They had also arranged for a person uninvolved in the smuggling activities to present himself to C&E officers and to falsely admit his responsibility. The "scapegoat" was offered a reward of $650,000.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Government Counsel Winnie Ho, assisted by ICAC officer Tang Chi-kong.