An Overseer of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), who was charged by the ICAC for allegedly cheating a housing loan of $870,600 by falsely claiming that he was residing in the purchased property in Tuen Mun, appeared in Tsuen Wan Court today (Tuesday).

Poon Siu-ki, 52, pleaded not guilty to one count of using a document with intent to deceive his principal, contrary to Section 9(3) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.

Magistrate Mr Stephen Smout adjourned the case until August 13 for mention, and granted Poon cash bail of $10,000.

Poon was an Overseer of the then Regional Services Department when the alleged offence took place on August 20, 1999.

The charge alleged that Poon, with intent to deceive the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, had used an application for housing loan scheme containing a false statement.

Poon was said to have falsely declared in the application that he agreed to abide by the Civil Service Regulations 809, which required him to personally live in the accommodation as his full-time residence, and not to let, sub-let or use the accommodation for any purpose other than residence for himself and his family.

The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Joey To.