Chief Inspector of Police gets four months for inciting man to mislead ICAC over corruption probe
2006-8-24
A Chief Inspector of Police, charged by the ICAC, was today (Thursday) sentenced to four months' imprisonment at Kowloon City Magistracy for inciting a man to give false information to the ICAC in relation to a corruption investigation.
Ma Lung-sang, 55, was today found guilty of one count of incitement to knowingly mislead an officer of the ICAC, contrary to Section 13B(b) of the ICAC Ordinance.
Deputy Magistrate Ms Judy Ma said as a law enforcement officer, the defendant had knowingly broken the law.
While expressing regret for the defendant, who had served the police for a long time, the magistrate said it was not appropriate for her to impose a non-custodial sentence.
The court heard that on December 31, 2004, the defendant asked a friend for a loan of $100,000 to complete the purchase of a property. Upon the defendant's request, the man deposited $100,000 into a solicitor's bank account.
On February 8, 2005, the defendant made a partial repayment of $25,000 to the man.
Fearing that the defendant would not repay the outstanding balance, the man reported the matter to the Complaints Against Police Office (CAPO).
As the defendant was suspected to have contravened Section 3 of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance, CAPO referred the case to the ICAC for investigation.
The court heard that on October 21, 2005, the man gave a witness statement to the ICAC in relation to the loan.
The defendant was invited to attend an ICAC interview, as he was alleged of accepting the loan, without the general or special permission of the Chief Executive.
When interviewed under caution by ICAC officers, the defendant denied the allegation, but said it was the man who borrowed the money from him.
On January 6, 2006, the man went to the defendant's office, pressing for repayment. During the meeting, the defendant begged the man to change his statement to the ICAC.
One week later, the man went to the ICAC, asking to change his statement. When questioned by ICAC officers, the man admitted that the defendant had asked him to give false information, with a view to exonerating the defendant.
The man was arranged to meet the defendant again on January 16, 2006. During the meeting, the defendant taught him how to change his statement. One day later, the defendant was arrested by ICAC officers, the court was told.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Government Counsel Jonathan Man, assisted by ICAC officer William Chan.
Ma Lung-sang, 55, was today found guilty of one count of incitement to knowingly mislead an officer of the ICAC, contrary to Section 13B(b) of the ICAC Ordinance.
Deputy Magistrate Ms Judy Ma said as a law enforcement officer, the defendant had knowingly broken the law.
While expressing regret for the defendant, who had served the police for a long time, the magistrate said it was not appropriate for her to impose a non-custodial sentence.
The court heard that on December 31, 2004, the defendant asked a friend for a loan of $100,000 to complete the purchase of a property. Upon the defendant's request, the man deposited $100,000 into a solicitor's bank account.
On February 8, 2005, the defendant made a partial repayment of $25,000 to the man.
Fearing that the defendant would not repay the outstanding balance, the man reported the matter to the Complaints Against Police Office (CAPO).
As the defendant was suspected to have contravened Section 3 of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance, CAPO referred the case to the ICAC for investigation.
The court heard that on October 21, 2005, the man gave a witness statement to the ICAC in relation to the loan.
The defendant was invited to attend an ICAC interview, as he was alleged of accepting the loan, without the general or special permission of the Chief Executive.
When interviewed under caution by ICAC officers, the defendant denied the allegation, but said it was the man who borrowed the money from him.
On January 6, 2006, the man went to the defendant's office, pressing for repayment. During the meeting, the defendant begged the man to change his statement to the ICAC.
One week later, the man went to the ICAC, asking to change his statement. When questioned by ICAC officers, the man admitted that the defendant had asked him to give false information, with a view to exonerating the defendant.
The man was arranged to meet the defendant again on January 16, 2006. During the meeting, the defendant taught him how to change his statement. One day later, the defendant was arrested by ICAC officers, the court was told.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Government Counsel Jonathan Man, assisted by ICAC officer William Chan.