Man gets two years for bribing police for tip-off on vice raids
2006-4-4
An unemployed man, charged by the ICAC, was today (Tuesday) sentenced to two years' imprisonment at the District Court for offering $65,000 in bribes to a Police Sergeant for tipping off vice establishments in Mongkok about impending raids.
Chan Hon-shing, 44, today pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to offer advantages to a public servant, contrary to Section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance and Section 4(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
Judge Stephen Geiser ordered a second charge alleging Chan of living on earnings of prostitution be left on court file.
In sentencing, the judge said he had to impose a custodial sentence in view of the seriousness of the offence, which hindered and frustrated police enforcement action.
The judge added that a starting point of three years was reduced to two years after taking into account the defendant's guilty plea.
The court heard that the defendant had worked as a pimp escorting prostitutes from the Mainland to provide sexual services at various vice establishments in Mongkok. He was introduced by a friend to a Police Sergeant.
In August 2003, the defendant agreed to make regular bribe payments to the Sergeant in the Mainland or Hong Kong in exchange for advance information on police anti-vice operations in Mongkok.
The defendant paid the Sergeant a monthly bribe of $8,000 in the first few months. The monthly bribe payment was later reduced to a sum between $2,000 and $4,000.
Between August 1, 2003 and May 3, 2004, the defendant had offered bribe payments totalling $65,000 to the Sergeant, the court was told.
On May 3, 2004, the defendant and the Sergeant were among a number of persons arrested by the ICAC in connection with various corruption and vice-related offences.
While on bail, the defendant failed to report to the ICAC, and fled to the Mainland. A warrant for his arrest was subsequently issued by a magistrate.
Earlier this year, the defendant informed the ICAC that he was ready to surrender himself. He was later intercepted at the Lo Wu control point.
The Sergeant was sentenced to three years' imprisonment at the District Court in May last year for taking bribes from the defendant.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Government Counsel Gary Lam, assisted by ICAC officer Markle Ng.
Chan Hon-shing, 44, today pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to offer advantages to a public servant, contrary to Section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance and Section 4(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
Judge Stephen Geiser ordered a second charge alleging Chan of living on earnings of prostitution be left on court file.
In sentencing, the judge said he had to impose a custodial sentence in view of the seriousness of the offence, which hindered and frustrated police enforcement action.
The judge added that a starting point of three years was reduced to two years after taking into account the defendant's guilty plea.
The court heard that the defendant had worked as a pimp escorting prostitutes from the Mainland to provide sexual services at various vice establishments in Mongkok. He was introduced by a friend to a Police Sergeant.
In August 2003, the defendant agreed to make regular bribe payments to the Sergeant in the Mainland or Hong Kong in exchange for advance information on police anti-vice operations in Mongkok.
The defendant paid the Sergeant a monthly bribe of $8,000 in the first few months. The monthly bribe payment was later reduced to a sum between $2,000 and $4,000.
Between August 1, 2003 and May 3, 2004, the defendant had offered bribe payments totalling $65,000 to the Sergeant, the court was told.
On May 3, 2004, the defendant and the Sergeant were among a number of persons arrested by the ICAC in connection with various corruption and vice-related offences.
While on bail, the defendant failed to report to the ICAC, and fled to the Mainland. A warrant for his arrest was subsequently issued by a magistrate.
Earlier this year, the defendant informed the ICAC that he was ready to surrender himself. He was later intercepted at the Lo Wu control point.
The Sergeant was sentenced to three years' imprisonment at the District Court in May last year for taking bribes from the defendant.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Government Counsel Gary Lam, assisted by ICAC officer Markle Ng.