Policeman and customs officer appear before court for allegedly obtaining bribe money for 'fixing up' police investigation
2003-3-27
A policeman and a customs officer, charged by the ICAC for allegedly conspiring to obtain bribe money by deception in relation to "fixing up" a wounding case being investigated by the Police, appeared in Eastern Magistracy today (Thursday).
Choi Siu-kau, 41, Detective Police Constable, and Lee Tak-chuen, 40, Customs Officer, faced one count of conspiracy to obtain property by deception.
No pleas were taken. Magistrate Mr David Dufton adjourned the case until April 17, 2003 for transfer to District Court.
The case arose from a corruption complaint, alleging that Choi had solicited an advantage from a suspect in a wounding case in return for assistance in fixing up the case. ICAC enquiries revealed the alleged deception offence.
The charge alleged that between September 7 and 17, 2002, Choi and Lee had conspired together to dishonestly obtain from a suspect a sum of money (the bribe money) by deception.
Choi and Lee were alleged to have falsely represented that in respect of a wounding case involving the suspect and his five associates which was being investigated by Choi as a Police Constable attached to District Anti-Triad Squad 1 of the Yuen Long Poli ce District:
- the Department of Justice counsel advising on the police investigation involving the suspect and his associates was an old schoolmate of Lee; and
- the Department of Justice counsel was willing to preclude prosecution of the suspect and his five associates in return for the payment of the bribe money.
Choi and Lee were each granted cash bail of $10,000. They were also ordered not to leave Hong Kong, and not to interfere with prosecution witnesses.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Gordon Yuen.
Choi Siu-kau, 41, Detective Police Constable, and Lee Tak-chuen, 40, Customs Officer, faced one count of conspiracy to obtain property by deception.
No pleas were taken. Magistrate Mr David Dufton adjourned the case until April 17, 2003 for transfer to District Court.
The case arose from a corruption complaint, alleging that Choi had solicited an advantage from a suspect in a wounding case in return for assistance in fixing up the case. ICAC enquiries revealed the alleged deception offence.
The charge alleged that between September 7 and 17, 2002, Choi and Lee had conspired together to dishonestly obtain from a suspect a sum of money (the bribe money) by deception.
Choi and Lee were alleged to have falsely represented that in respect of a wounding case involving the suspect and his five associates which was being investigated by Choi as a Police Constable attached to District Anti-Triad Squad 1 of the Yuen Long Poli ce District:
- the Department of Justice counsel advising on the police investigation involving the suspect and his associates was an old schoolmate of Lee; and
- the Department of Justice counsel was willing to preclude prosecution of the suspect and his five associates in return for the payment of the bribe money.
Choi and Lee were each granted cash bail of $10,000. They were also ordered not to leave Hong Kong, and not to interfere with prosecution witnesses.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Gordon Yuen.