A hawker was today (Friday) sentenced to two months' imprisonment, suspended for two years, and fined $5,000 at North Kowloon Court for offering two betting tickets to an Assistant Hawker Control Officer (AHCO) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Depart ment (FEHD).

Lun Hong, 74, today pleaded guilty to one count of offering an advantage to a government officer while having dealings with FEHD, contrary to Section 8(1) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.

Magistrate Mr Peter Hui said the offence committed by the defendant was serious, but in view of his old age, clear records and guilty plea, a suspended sentence was imposed.

The court heard that Lun was a hawker selling textile fabrics and plastic table-cloth at a rented stall in Shamshuipo, Kowloon.

On April 27 this year, AHCO Hong Chi-wai was instructed to deal with a complaint against Lun for causing obstruction in a public place.

After making preliminary enquiry which found that Lun might have caused obstruction, Hong cautioned him for the offence.

While Hong was recording the particulars of Lun for issuing a summons against him, Lun suddenly took out two Hong Kong Jockey Club horse race betting tickets and wrapped them with a piece of newspaper.

Lun told Hong that he had won money from horse racing but not yet collected the dividends.

The defendant gave the tickets to Hong. He told Hong: "Treat the Hong Kong Jockey Club betting tickets as you have bought, and treat them as you have won."

Hong refused the offer and reported the matter to his seniors immediately upon return to his office.

The prosecution was today represented by Johnny Chan on a fiat, assisted by ICAC officer Eric Ma.