Licensed plumber jailed for bribery over plumbing installation works
2005-12-1
A licensed plumber, charged by the ICAC, was today (Thursday) sentenced to six months' imprisonment in Tsuen Wan Magistracy after being convicted of two bribery charges in relation to plumbing installation works.
Lai Ngok-sang, 45, was found guilty of two counts of offering an advantage to public servants, contrary to Section 4(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
In sentencing, Magistrate Mr Albert Wong said the ICAC had proved beyond reasonable doubt the criminality of the defendant.
The judge added that an immediate custodial sentence was imposed on the defendant as bribing public servants was a very serious offence.
The court heard that at the time of the offences, Lai was a licensed plumber responsible for plumbing installations at two premises respectively in Kwun Tong Road and Farm Road, Kowloon.
Prior to the connection of water supply to the premises, the WSD would provide water meters for installation and carry out inspection at those premises to ensure that the plumbing installation works were in order.
To ensure that his waterwork applications would be favourably handled, Lai offered $2,000 each to a Senior Waterworks Inspector and an Assistant Waterworks Inspector of the WSD on two separate occasions in June last year, the court was told.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Government Counsel Anthony Cheang, assisted by ICAC officer Aman Chee.
Lai Ngok-sang, 45, was found guilty of two counts of offering an advantage to public servants, contrary to Section 4(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
In sentencing, Magistrate Mr Albert Wong said the ICAC had proved beyond reasonable doubt the criminality of the defendant.
The judge added that an immediate custodial sentence was imposed on the defendant as bribing public servants was a very serious offence.
The court heard that at the time of the offences, Lai was a licensed plumber responsible for plumbing installations at two premises respectively in Kwun Tong Road and Farm Road, Kowloon.
Prior to the connection of water supply to the premises, the WSD would provide water meters for installation and carry out inspection at those premises to ensure that the plumbing installation works were in order.
To ensure that his waterwork applications would be favourably handled, Lai offered $2,000 each to a Senior Waterworks Inspector and an Assistant Waterworks Inspector of the WSD on two separate occasions in June last year, the court was told.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Government Counsel Anthony Cheang, assisted by ICAC officer Aman Chee.