Man jailed for perversion by making false graft report against police officers
2008-4-8
A man, charged by the ICAC, was today (Tuesday) sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment at Fanling Magistracy for attempting to pervert the course of public justice by making a false corruption report against two police officers.
Lam Man-kwong, 30, unemployed, yesterday pleaded guilty to one count of doing an act tending and intended to pervert the course of public justice, contrary to Common Law.
In sentencing, Deputy Magistrate Mr Eric Cheung said a custodial sentence was imposed on the defendant in view of the seriousness of the offence.
The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the perversion offence.
The court heard that on June 5, 2006, the defendant was arrested by police officers of Lok Ma Chau Police Station for his alleged involvement in a case of common assault. He was later released on bail by a station sergeant.
On June 21, 2006, the defendant reported bail to the police station. When a senior inspector of police intended to charge him for common assault, the defendant requested for a legal representative.
The defendant was provided with a list of solicitors, but failed to identify a suitable one. The senior inspector extended the defendant’s bail, allowing the latter more time to hire a lawyer.
The court heard that on June 23, 2006, the defendant made a complaint to the ICAC, alleging the station sergeant and the senior inspector of soliciting a $50,000 bribe from him as a reward for not charging him.
On the following day, the defendant gave a statement to the ICAC reiterating that the station sergeant had called him on four separate dates to urge him to pay the bribe.
ICAC investigation revealed that no telephone calls had been made by the station sergeant to the defendant’s mobile phone on the dates in question.
On June 26, 2006, the defendant was interviewed by ICAC officers under caution on suspicion of making a false report.
The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Wong Hay-yiu, assisted by ICAC officer Paul Lau.
Lam Man-kwong, 30, unemployed, yesterday pleaded guilty to one count of doing an act tending and intended to pervert the course of public justice, contrary to Common Law.
In sentencing, Deputy Magistrate Mr Eric Cheung said a custodial sentence was imposed on the defendant in view of the seriousness of the offence.
The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the perversion offence.
The court heard that on June 5, 2006, the defendant was arrested by police officers of Lok Ma Chau Police Station for his alleged involvement in a case of common assault. He was later released on bail by a station sergeant.
On June 21, 2006, the defendant reported bail to the police station. When a senior inspector of police intended to charge him for common assault, the defendant requested for a legal representative.
The defendant was provided with a list of solicitors, but failed to identify a suitable one. The senior inspector extended the defendant’s bail, allowing the latter more time to hire a lawyer.
The court heard that on June 23, 2006, the defendant made a complaint to the ICAC, alleging the station sergeant and the senior inspector of soliciting a $50,000 bribe from him as a reward for not charging him.
On the following day, the defendant gave a statement to the ICAC reiterating that the station sergeant had called him on four separate dates to urge him to pay the bribe.
ICAC investigation revealed that no telephone calls had been made by the station sergeant to the defendant’s mobile phone on the dates in question.
On June 26, 2006, the defendant was interviewed by ICAC officers under caution on suspicion of making a false report.
The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Wong Hay-yiu, assisted by ICAC officer Paul Lau.