A former manager of a commercial building was today (Monday) sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment at Kowloon City Magistracy for soliciting and accepting bribes from prospective tenants to negotiate a lower rent for them.

Chiu Sin-him, 61, formerly employed by Leaveta Hong Limited (Leaveta Hong), was also ordered to pay $10,000 in restitution.

Chiu was today found guilty of five offences - two counts of soliciting an advantage, two of accepting an advantage, and one of obtaining property by deception.

Magistrate Mr Joseph Vaughan said a custodial sentence was warranted for a breach of trust by the defendant.

The court heard that Chiu was employed by Leaveta Hong to manage Everest Building in Yaumatei, Kowloon, including the leasing of premises. The majority of tenants of the building were engaged in fashion wholesale business.

In March 2000, Chiu solicited $6,000 and accepted $6,000 from a tenant as "tea money" for assisting her in obtaining a lease of a unit in the building and persuading the landlord to reduce the rent.

Chiu had also solicited a sum of money and accepted a total of $4,000 from another tenant for a similar reason in February 2001. The tenant was asked to pay the money to show her genuine interest in renting the unit.

The court also heard that Chiu had cheated $3,000 out of a third tenant by falsely claiming that the money was for paying the former tenant as "handover fee".

The prosecution was today represented by Steven Kwan on a fiat, assisted by ICAC officer Keith Chu.