Ex-driver gets four months' jail for stand-in arrangement in traffic accident
2002-5-8
A former driver of an entertainment firm was today (Wednesday) sentenced to four months' imprisonment at the Western Magistracy for perverting the course of public justice over stand-in arrangement in a traffic accident.
Shing Kwok-ting, 34, formerly employed by Emperor Entertainment Limited (Emperor), pleaded guilty last month to one count of conspiracy to pervert the course of public justice.
The charge stated that Shing had conspired with Police Constable Lau Chi-wai to pervert the course of public justice by allowing Shing to falsely present himself as the driver of a private car in the police investigation of a traffic accident which took p lace in Cotton Tree Drive on March 23, 2002.
Noting that the defendant had proposed the stand-in arrangement, Magistrate Mr Tong Man said the offence was serious and warranted a starting point of eight months, adding that he had taken into account the defendant's guilty plea and his clear record in sentencing.
The court heard that while employed by Emperor, Shing was responsible for conveying artists, including Nicholas Tse, to and from their residences and work places.
In the early morning of March 23, 2002, Shing, while sleeping at home in Shamshuipo, received a telephone call from Tse, who told him that Tse had crashed his car, a black Ferrari, at Cotton Tree Drive, Central.
Shing advised Tse to leave the scene, and undertook to handle the matter on Tse's behalf.
Shing subsequently drove a company car to the scene of the accident, where several police officers were conducting enquiries.
Shing asked Police Constable Lau Chi-wai if Shing could "stand in" as the driver of the Ferrari involved in the traffic accident.
Lau agreed to Shing's request, knowing that Shing was not the actual driver.
Shing subsequently made a false statement that he was the driver of the Ferrari and that he lost control of it and had it crashed.
When Shing was taken to the Central Police Station for documentation, he completed a notice requiring identification of driver, in which he claimed himself to be the driver involved in the car crash.
The prosecution was today represented by Government Counsel Gary Lam, assisted by ICAC officer Simon Chow.
Shing Kwok-ting, 34, formerly employed by Emperor Entertainment Limited (Emperor), pleaded guilty last month to one count of conspiracy to pervert the course of public justice.
The charge stated that Shing had conspired with Police Constable Lau Chi-wai to pervert the course of public justice by allowing Shing to falsely present himself as the driver of a private car in the police investigation of a traffic accident which took p lace in Cotton Tree Drive on March 23, 2002.
Noting that the defendant had proposed the stand-in arrangement, Magistrate Mr Tong Man said the offence was serious and warranted a starting point of eight months, adding that he had taken into account the defendant's guilty plea and his clear record in sentencing.
The court heard that while employed by Emperor, Shing was responsible for conveying artists, including Nicholas Tse, to and from their residences and work places.
In the early morning of March 23, 2002, Shing, while sleeping at home in Shamshuipo, received a telephone call from Tse, who told him that Tse had crashed his car, a black Ferrari, at Cotton Tree Drive, Central.
Shing advised Tse to leave the scene, and undertook to handle the matter on Tse's behalf.
Shing subsequently drove a company car to the scene of the accident, where several police officers were conducting enquiries.
Shing asked Police Constable Lau Chi-wai if Shing could "stand in" as the driver of the Ferrari involved in the traffic accident.
Lau agreed to Shing's request, knowing that Shing was not the actual driver.
Shing subsequently made a false statement that he was the driver of the Ferrari and that he lost control of it and had it crashed.
When Shing was taken to the Central Police Station for documentation, he completed a notice requiring identification of driver, in which he claimed himself to be the driver involved in the car crash.
The prosecution was today represented by Government Counsel Gary Lam, assisted by ICAC officer Simon Chow.