Police Constable jailed for bribery in loanshark harassment case
2000-11-22
A Detective Police Constable was sentenced to eight months' imprisonment at Tsuen Wan Court today (Wednesday) for soliciting and accepting bribes from a man for providing assistance in negotiating repayment terms with a loanshark.
Li Chung-leung, 37, attached to the Ma On Shan Police Station, pleaded guilty to two bribery offences.
Magistrate Mr Allan Wyeth said an immediate custodial sentence was imposed since the corruption offences committed by the defendant, himself being a law enforcement officer, were serious.
In sentencing, the judge said he had taken into account the defendant's guilty plea and co-operation with the ICAC.
The court heard that on December 7 last year, Lee Long-wei's residence in Ma On Shan was splashed with paint by a loanshark. Lee's father, Lee Kam-wah, reported the matter to the police station.
Li, while investigating the complaint, attempted to solicit from Lee Kam-wah $3,000 to $4,000 as a reward for asking the loanshark not to lend money to his son. He was turned down.
On December 25 last year, the residence of Lee Long-wei's grandmother in Yaumatei was splashed with paint as a result of Lee Long-wei's failure to make any repayment to the loanshark.
Lee Long-wei reported this incident and the bribe solicitation to the Yaumatei Police Station. The case was referred to the ICAC.
Three days later, the defendant met Lee Long-wei in Kwai Fong, and in Li's presence, negotiated with the loanshark over the telephone under ICAC monitoring.
During the negotiation, Li identified himself to the loanshark as “Ah Keung” and a police officer from the anti-triad squad.
As a result, Lee Long-wei had to pay the loanshark $30,000 by December 30 last year and another $10,000 15 days later.
Upon Li's request, Lee Long-wei handed over $2,000 marked money to Li.
Li accepted the money and was arrested.
The prosecution was today represented by Helen Chan on a fiat, assisted by ICAC officer David Ng Kam-wai.
Li Chung-leung, 37, attached to the Ma On Shan Police Station, pleaded guilty to two bribery offences.
Magistrate Mr Allan Wyeth said an immediate custodial sentence was imposed since the corruption offences committed by the defendant, himself being a law enforcement officer, were serious.
In sentencing, the judge said he had taken into account the defendant's guilty plea and co-operation with the ICAC.
The court heard that on December 7 last year, Lee Long-wei's residence in Ma On Shan was splashed with paint by a loanshark. Lee's father, Lee Kam-wah, reported the matter to the police station.
Li, while investigating the complaint, attempted to solicit from Lee Kam-wah $3,000 to $4,000 as a reward for asking the loanshark not to lend money to his son. He was turned down.
On December 25 last year, the residence of Lee Long-wei's grandmother in Yaumatei was splashed with paint as a result of Lee Long-wei's failure to make any repayment to the loanshark.
Lee Long-wei reported this incident and the bribe solicitation to the Yaumatei Police Station. The case was referred to the ICAC.
Three days later, the defendant met Lee Long-wei in Kwai Fong, and in Li's presence, negotiated with the loanshark over the telephone under ICAC monitoring.
During the negotiation, Li identified himself to the loanshark as “Ah Keung” and a police officer from the anti-triad squad.
As a result, Lee Long-wei had to pay the loanshark $30,000 by December 30 last year and another $10,000 15 days later.
Upon Li's request, Lee Long-wei handed over $2,000 marked money to Li.
Li accepted the money and was arrested.
The prosecution was today represented by Helen Chan on a fiat, assisted by ICAC officer David Ng Kam-wai.