An operator of a vice establishment, charged by the ICAC, was today (Wednesday) sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment at Kowloon City Magistracy for offering a monthly bribe payment of $30,000 to a police officer for avoiding enforcement action.

Chan Yuk-ping, 42, was earlier found guilty on one count of offering an advantage to a public servant, contrary to Section 4(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.

The court heard that Chan was the person-in-charge of a flat in Jordon Road, Kowloon, which was then operated as a vice establishment.

On October 3, 2003, the Police raided the premises, and arrested a keeper and four Mainland women for suspected vice and related offences.

After learning about the raid, Chan, on October 8, 2003, wrote an anonymous letter to the police officer in charge of the case, offering a monthly payment of $30,000 as a reward for the latter not to take further enforcement action against her premises.

In the letter, Chan also gave her mobile telephone number for the police officer to contact her, the court was told.

Upon receipt of the letter, the police officer reported the matter to his superior. The case was referred to the ICAC for investigation.

The prosecution was today represented by Senior Government Counsel Jonathan Man, assisted by ICAC officer Bill Chan.