Two shareholders of a Japanese restaurant today (Friday) admitted that they had offered monthly bribe payments to a Police Sergeant, hoping that the officer would "protect" the restaurant from interference by triad gangsters.

Yuen Lam, 37, and Wong Kwok-hing, 38, of Ichimoto Japanese Restaurant (Ichimoto) in Hunghom, today pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to offer periodic payments to Police Sergeant Ku Ying-lai between August 2, 1996 and March 31, 2000.

The bribes were for Ku to ensure that Ichimoto would be free from problems caused by triad members.

Wong was further charged with three similar bribery charges. District Court Judge Yau ordered these charges be left on court file.

The defendants were each granted bail of $25,000 in cash, and were ordered not to leave Hong Kong and to report to the Police twice a week, pending sentencing on December 4, 2001.

The court heard that shortly after the defendants started their business in mid 1996, Ku visited the restaurant and demanded a monthly “travelling expense” of $5,000.

Believing that Ku could offer assistance in case the triads caused nuisance to the restaurant, the defendants agreed to the monthly bribe payments.

Due to poor business, the bribe payments were later reduced to $3,000 per month in 1997, and subsequently to $2,000 per month between 1998 and 2000.

The court also heard that Ku visited the restaurant on a monthly basis to collect the bribe payments, which were made in cash.

When interviewed by ICAC officers under caution, the defendants admitted that entries marked with "cash expense slip" in the petty cash register referred to "protection fees" paid to Ku.

The prosecution was today represented by Patrick Lim on a fiat, assisted by ICAC officer Christina Sin.