Ex-police officer and shop operator sentenced for VCD 'scapegoat' plot
2000-10-13
A former police officer and a VCD shop operator were today (Friday) sentenced to jail for two years and 18 months respectively for plotting to arrange a "scapegoat" to face prosecution by the Customs and Excise Department (C&E) for selling pirated VCDs.
Former Senior Inspector Wong Sun-wong, 51, now merchant, and Chan Chi-chun, 22, were today found guilty of one count of doing an act tending to pervert the course of public justice.
In sentencing, Mr Magistrate Symon Wong of Eastern Court said immediate custodial sentences were imposed since the offence committed by the defendants was very serious.
The case originated from a corruption complaint, alleging that Wong had offered advantages to a C&E officer in return for understating the number of pirated VCDs seized and accepting a "scapegoat" to face prosecution by C&E. ICAC enquiries revealed the p erversion offence.
The court heard that Wong operated a shop selling pirated VCDs in Sino Plaza, Mong Kok, while Chan was responsible for the shop's daily operation.
On January 7, 1997, C&E officers conducted an anti-piracy raid at the shop and seized about 7,000 suspected pirated VCDs.
Several days later, Wong approached Li Siu-hung and asked him to act as a "scapegoat" for Chan. Li agreed.
On January 17, 1997, Li signed an application form for the business registration of the shop to become the owner.
Subsequently, Wong and Li attended the office of C&E, where Li was arrested for the offence of selling pirated VCDs.
On September 9 last year, Li was charged by C&E with the related offence.
On the first day of trial, the prosecution offered no evidence against Li since evidence showed that he was not the operator of the shop.
The prosecution was today represented by Government Counsel Winsome Chan, assisted by ICAC officer Tommy Mak.
Former Senior Inspector Wong Sun-wong, 51, now merchant, and Chan Chi-chun, 22, were today found guilty of one count of doing an act tending to pervert the course of public justice.
In sentencing, Mr Magistrate Symon Wong of Eastern Court said immediate custodial sentences were imposed since the offence committed by the defendants was very serious.
The case originated from a corruption complaint, alleging that Wong had offered advantages to a C&E officer in return for understating the number of pirated VCDs seized and accepting a "scapegoat" to face prosecution by C&E. ICAC enquiries revealed the p erversion offence.
The court heard that Wong operated a shop selling pirated VCDs in Sino Plaza, Mong Kok, while Chan was responsible for the shop's daily operation.
On January 7, 1997, C&E officers conducted an anti-piracy raid at the shop and seized about 7,000 suspected pirated VCDs.
Several days later, Wong approached Li Siu-hung and asked him to act as a "scapegoat" for Chan. Li agreed.
On January 17, 1997, Li signed an application form for the business registration of the shop to become the owner.
Subsequently, Wong and Li attended the office of C&E, where Li was arrested for the offence of selling pirated VCDs.
On September 9 last year, Li was charged by C&E with the related offence.
On the first day of trial, the prosecution offered no evidence against Li since evidence showed that he was not the operator of the shop.
The prosecution was today represented by Government Counsel Winsome Chan, assisted by ICAC officer Tommy Mak.