Former Salvation Army staff alleged of stealing donated clothes
2003-3-26
Three former staff members of the Salvation Army (SA) and a casual worker, charged by the ICAC, appeared at Kwun Tong Magistracy today (Wednesday) for allegedly stealing bulks of clothes donated by the public.
Former SA assistant supervisor Lai Fong-tak and his former assistant Chong Wing-chee, both 39; former SA part-time driver Sin Yau-shui, 39; and casual worker Cheng King-hoi, 27, pleaded not guilty to one count of conspiracy to steal and 11 alternative cha rges of theft.
Magistrate Mr Kwok Wai-kin adjourned the case until April 24, 2003 for a pre-trial review.
The case arose from a corruption complaint. The defendants were arrested in an operation in October last year. Subsequent ICAC investigations revealed the alleged conspiracy and theft offences.
The conspiracy charge alleged the defendants of conspiring to steal clothes belonging to the General of the Salvation Army.
The defendants also faced 11 alternative theft charges which alleged them of stealing clothes from various SA collection points.
The alleged offences took place between August and October 2002.
Lai, Sin and Cheng were each granted bail of $5,000 in cash, while Chong was granted cash bail of $1,000.
The defendants were also ordered to surrender their travel documents, not to leave Hong Kong, not to interfere with prosecution witnesses and to report to the Police once a week.
The prosecution was today represented by Government Counsel Hayson Tse, assisted by ICAC officer Aman Chee.
Former SA assistant supervisor Lai Fong-tak and his former assistant Chong Wing-chee, both 39; former SA part-time driver Sin Yau-shui, 39; and casual worker Cheng King-hoi, 27, pleaded not guilty to one count of conspiracy to steal and 11 alternative cha rges of theft.
Magistrate Mr Kwok Wai-kin adjourned the case until April 24, 2003 for a pre-trial review.
The case arose from a corruption complaint. The defendants were arrested in an operation in October last year. Subsequent ICAC investigations revealed the alleged conspiracy and theft offences.
The conspiracy charge alleged the defendants of conspiring to steal clothes belonging to the General of the Salvation Army.
The defendants also faced 11 alternative theft charges which alleged them of stealing clothes from various SA collection points.
The alleged offences took place between August and October 2002.
Lai, Sin and Cheng were each granted bail of $5,000 in cash, while Chong was granted cash bail of $1,000.
The defendants were also ordered to surrender their travel documents, not to leave Hong Kong, not to interfere with prosecution witnesses and to report to the Police once a week.
The prosecution was today represented by Government Counsel Hayson Tse, assisted by ICAC officer Aman Chee.