Solicitor gets 12 months for perversion over theft of shares
2007-4-17
A solicitor, charged by the ICAC, was today (Tuesday) jailed for 12 months at District Court for perverting the course of justice in relation to investigations by the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) and the Police over the theft of shares by a sec urities broker.
Emily Ha Pon-lin, 41, was earlier found guilty on one count of conspiracy to pervert the course of public justice.
Co-defendant Ng Ting-shag, 58, a securities broker, had earlier pleaded guilty to nine counts of theft, and one of conspiracy to pervert the course of public justice. Ng had also testified against Ha. He was today sentenced to 14 months’ imprisonment.
In sentencing, Deputy Judge Timothy Casewell reprimanded Ha for the offence she committed. The judge added that Ha, as a trained lawyer, must have realised what she did amounted to perversion.
The case arose from a corruption complaint referred by the SFC. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above offences.
The court heard that in early 2004, Ng had misappropriated shares, valued at about $530,000, belonging to nine clients.
A client lodged complaints with the SFC and the Police against Ng, and engaged Ha as her legal representative to deal with the matter.
Between February 16 and 20, 2004, Ha and Ng had conspired to pervert the course of public justice by inciting the complainant to withdraw the complaints made to the SFC and the Police against Ng, the court was told.
The SFC had rendered full co-operation throughout the ICAC investigation.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Government Counsel Peter Daryanani, assisted by ICAC officer Bonnie Wong.
Emily Ha Pon-lin, 41, was earlier found guilty on one count of conspiracy to pervert the course of public justice.
Co-defendant Ng Ting-shag, 58, a securities broker, had earlier pleaded guilty to nine counts of theft, and one of conspiracy to pervert the course of public justice. Ng had also testified against Ha. He was today sentenced to 14 months’ imprisonment.
In sentencing, Deputy Judge Timothy Casewell reprimanded Ha for the offence she committed. The judge added that Ha, as a trained lawyer, must have realised what she did amounted to perversion.
The case arose from a corruption complaint referred by the SFC. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above offences.
The court heard that in early 2004, Ng had misappropriated shares, valued at about $530,000, belonging to nine clients.
A client lodged complaints with the SFC and the Police against Ng, and engaged Ha as her legal representative to deal with the matter.
Between February 16 and 20, 2004, Ha and Ng had conspired to pervert the course of public justice by inciting the complainant to withdraw the complaints made to the SFC and the Police against Ng, the court was told.
The SFC had rendered full co-operation throughout the ICAC investigation.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Government Counsel Peter Daryanani, assisted by ICAC officer Bonnie Wong.