Drug convict's sentence reduced for assisting ICAC
2001-3-1
A man, who earlier admitted his role in a Yuen Long drug trafficking syndicate, had his prison term reduced from 43 months to 39 months today (Thursday) for refusing a bribe for changing his evidence in a related trial and assisting the ICAC's investigati on.
Ng Shek-yu, 28, was among 24 persons arrested in April 1999 in an ICAC investigation into drug trafficking activities allegedly protected by corrupt police officers.
It was alleged that some police officers in Yuen Long and Tuen Mun districts were suspected to have tipped off the syndicate about pending police raids and supplied internal information on the operation of police units.
While the corruption allegation was found to be unsubstantiated, Ng and nine other civilians were subsequently charged with dangerous drugs offences.
Ng pleaded guilty in April last year to one count of conspiring with Yau Heung-tong to traffic in heroin and was sentenced to 43 months' imprisonment. He had indicated that he would testify for the prosecution in the trial of Yau.
While in jail custody, Ng was approached by Cheng Ka-po, who offered him $150,000 for changing his evidence, so as to favour Yau. Ng did not respond to the request, and made a report to the ICAC.
Ng subsequently sought an appeal against his original sentence.
In delivering its judgment today, the Court of Appeal said it had taken into consideration Ng’s assistance to the ICAC in reducing Ng's prison term.
Cheng was earlier charged by the ICAC for perverting the course of public justice and was given a 16 months' jail term.
Yau Heung-tong and his wife Chan Yuen-ting, who allegedly headed the drug syndicate, were charged by the ICAC. Warrants were issued for their arrests after they failed to appear in court last year.
Earlier, a former Senior Inspector of the Customs and Excise Department who gave evidence for the prosecution in a number of trials in relation to passport scams and money laundering activities, also had his four-and-a-half years prison term reduced by 18 months.
The Court of Appeal said on Tuesday (February 27) that it appreciated Chu Hak-lan's assistance to the ICAC, and in reducing his sentence, it showed the court's willingness to encourage such conduct.
Ng Shek-yu, 28, was among 24 persons arrested in April 1999 in an ICAC investigation into drug trafficking activities allegedly protected by corrupt police officers.
It was alleged that some police officers in Yuen Long and Tuen Mun districts were suspected to have tipped off the syndicate about pending police raids and supplied internal information on the operation of police units.
While the corruption allegation was found to be unsubstantiated, Ng and nine other civilians were subsequently charged with dangerous drugs offences.
Ng pleaded guilty in April last year to one count of conspiring with Yau Heung-tong to traffic in heroin and was sentenced to 43 months' imprisonment. He had indicated that he would testify for the prosecution in the trial of Yau.
While in jail custody, Ng was approached by Cheng Ka-po, who offered him $150,000 for changing his evidence, so as to favour Yau. Ng did not respond to the request, and made a report to the ICAC.
Ng subsequently sought an appeal against his original sentence.
In delivering its judgment today, the Court of Appeal said it had taken into consideration Ng’s assistance to the ICAC in reducing Ng's prison term.
Cheng was earlier charged by the ICAC for perverting the course of public justice and was given a 16 months' jail term.
Yau Heung-tong and his wife Chan Yuen-ting, who allegedly headed the drug syndicate, were charged by the ICAC. Warrants were issued for their arrests after they failed to appear in court last year.
Earlier, a former Senior Inspector of the Customs and Excise Department who gave evidence for the prosecution in a number of trials in relation to passport scams and money laundering activities, also had his four-and-a-half years prison term reduced by 18 months.
The Court of Appeal said on Tuesday (February 27) that it appreciated Chu Hak-lan's assistance to the ICAC, and in reducing his sentence, it showed the court's willingness to encourage such conduct.