A Filipino domestic helper, charged by the ICAC, was today (Tuesday) sentenced at Western Magistracy for perverting the course of public justice by framing two police officers with a false corruption allegation.

Jo-Ann Ubaldo VILLALON, 26, pleaded guilty to one count of doing acts tending and intended to pervert the course of public justice.

Magistrate Mr Anthony Yuen sentenced her to two months' imprisonment, suspended for 12 months.

The court heard that on September 22, 2002, the defendant falsely represented to her employer that she and two of her friends were earlier intercepted by two uniformed Police Constables at the Kwai Fong MTR Station.

The defendant falsely claimed that the two police officers, after inspecting their identity cards, alleged them of engaging in part-time jobs, and solicited $1,000 from her in return for taking no action.

The defendant further lied that she gave a $500 banknote to one of the police officers, who then let them leave the scene.

After hearing the defendant's story, her employer immediately reported the matter to Western Police Station.

As a result, the two police officers were subject to a criminal investigation.

The case was subsequently referred to the ICAC for investigation.

When interviewed by ICAC officers, the defendant maintained the same allegation against the two police officers.

ICAC enquiries revealed that the two police officers had only requested the defendant and her friends to produce their identity cards for inspection. The police officers had never solicited or accepted any money from the defendant, and had acted properly in their duties.

When re-interviewed under caution by ICAC officers, the defendant admitted that she had fabricated the allegation against the two police officers as she had lost the $500 household money given to her by her employer, and did not know how to explain to her employer.

The prosecution was today represented by Senior Government Counsel Simon Tam, assisted by ICAC officer Tony Ho.