Man guilty of bribery over 2007 DC Election
2008-2-11
An unemployed man, charged by the ICAC, was today (Monday) convicted at Tuen Mun Magistracy of attempting to solicit and accept advantages from a candidate of the 2007 District Council (DC) Election for securing votes for the latter.
Leung Ngar-yan, 52, was found guilty of three counts of attempting to engage in corrupt conduct at an election, contrary to Section 11(1)(g) of the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance and Section 159G(1) of the Crimes Ordinance.
Magistrate Symon Wong adjourned the case until March 3 for sentence, pending a background report. The defendant was remanded in the custody of the Correctional Services Department.
The court heard that at the time of the offences, Wong Yu-choi, an incumbent member of the Yuen Long DC, intended to stand for the 2007 Yuen Long DC Election (Yat Chak Constituency).
In June 2007, the defendant told Wong that his chance was not good.
The defendant requested Wong to give him 10 odd thousand dollars in order to “socialise” with electors, which included sponsoring meals and trips for them, and to persuade them to vote for Wong. Wong turned down the defendant’s request.
In a meeting with Wong on August 9, 2007, the defendant told Wong that he had already ensured that 400 electors would vote for him, and asked Wong for a payment of $300 each, totalling $120,000.
The court also heard that upon the defendant’s request for an initial payment, Wong provided him with $2,000 marked money.
The defendant was arrested by ICAC officers immediately after the meeting. The marked money was subsequently recovered from the defendant, the court was told.
The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Steven Kwan, assisted by ICAC officer Hanna Chan.
Leung Ngar-yan, 52, was found guilty of three counts of attempting to engage in corrupt conduct at an election, contrary to Section 11(1)(g) of the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance and Section 159G(1) of the Crimes Ordinance.
Magistrate Symon Wong adjourned the case until March 3 for sentence, pending a background report. The defendant was remanded in the custody of the Correctional Services Department.
The court heard that at the time of the offences, Wong Yu-choi, an incumbent member of the Yuen Long DC, intended to stand for the 2007 Yuen Long DC Election (Yat Chak Constituency).
In June 2007, the defendant told Wong that his chance was not good.
The defendant requested Wong to give him 10 odd thousand dollars in order to “socialise” with electors, which included sponsoring meals and trips for them, and to persuade them to vote for Wong. Wong turned down the defendant’s request.
In a meeting with Wong on August 9, 2007, the defendant told Wong that he had already ensured that 400 electors would vote for him, and asked Wong for a payment of $300 each, totalling $120,000.
The court also heard that upon the defendant’s request for an initial payment, Wong provided him with $2,000 marked money.
The defendant was arrested by ICAC officers immediately after the meeting. The marked money was subsequently recovered from the defendant, the court was told.
The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Steven Kwan, assisted by ICAC officer Hanna Chan.