Citybus driver admits stealing $20,000 in bus fares
2002-2-22
An airport bus driver of Citybus Limited (Citybus), charged by the ICAC, today (Friday) admitted at Eastern Court that he had pocketed bus fares totalling HK$20,000.
Sit Cho-ming, 44, bus captain of Citybus, pleaded guilty to two theft offences.
Magistrate Mr Ian Candy adjourned sentencing Sit until March 8, 2002, pending a background report. Sit was remanded in the custody of the Correctional Services Department.
The case arose from a referral from the management of Citybus, alleging that Sit was corruptly assisted by his supervisor in pocketing bus fares.
The corruption allegation was found to be unsubstantiated after investigations.
The court heard that Sit was assigned to drive bus routes A11 and A12 between the Hong Kong International Airport and Hong Kong Island East, with single trip fare at HK$40 and HK$45 respectively.
On September 10, 2001, a passenger boarded a bus A12 driven by Sit. After receiving the bus fare, Sit pretended to insert the money into the coin box, and pocketed the fare.
On September 26, 2001, three ICAC decoys were deployed to board a bus A11 driven by Sit at the airport.
When one of the decoys attempted to insert HK$120 (six HK$20 banknotes) in marked money into the coin box, Sit said "I help you" and grabbed the six banknotes from him.
Sit was subsequently arrested after his bus arrived at the North Point Ferry Pier bus terminus.
The six marked HK$20 banknotes were recovered under the bus driver's seat. One Renminbi $100 banknote, two HK$100 banknotes and six HK$20 banknotes were also found in Sit's trouser pocket.
When interviewed under caution, Sit admitted that he had stolen bus fares in the region of HK$17,000 to HK$20,000 between May and September 2001.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Franco Kwong.
Sit Cho-ming, 44, bus captain of Citybus, pleaded guilty to two theft offences.
Magistrate Mr Ian Candy adjourned sentencing Sit until March 8, 2002, pending a background report. Sit was remanded in the custody of the Correctional Services Department.
The case arose from a referral from the management of Citybus, alleging that Sit was corruptly assisted by his supervisor in pocketing bus fares.
The corruption allegation was found to be unsubstantiated after investigations.
The court heard that Sit was assigned to drive bus routes A11 and A12 between the Hong Kong International Airport and Hong Kong Island East, with single trip fare at HK$40 and HK$45 respectively.
On September 10, 2001, a passenger boarded a bus A12 driven by Sit. After receiving the bus fare, Sit pretended to insert the money into the coin box, and pocketed the fare.
On September 26, 2001, three ICAC decoys were deployed to board a bus A11 driven by Sit at the airport.
When one of the decoys attempted to insert HK$120 (six HK$20 banknotes) in marked money into the coin box, Sit said "I help you" and grabbed the six banknotes from him.
Sit was subsequently arrested after his bus arrived at the North Point Ferry Pier bus terminus.
The six marked HK$20 banknotes were recovered under the bus driver's seat. One Renminbi $100 banknote, two HK$100 banknotes and six HK$20 banknotes were also found in Sit's trouser pocket.
When interviewed under caution, Sit admitted that he had stolen bus fares in the region of HK$17,000 to HK$20,000 between May and September 2001.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Franco Kwong.