CSD Instructor and four prisoners jailed for bogus prison visits
2017-6-22
An Instructor of the Correctional Services Department (CSD) and four prisoners, charged by the ICAC, were today (June 22) sentenced to jail terms up to 11 months at the District Court for misconduct in public office (MIPO) and conspiracy to defraud the CSD in relation to bogus prison visits respectively.
Leung Ngan-lam, 37, Instructor of the CSD, received a jail term of six months.
Chan Yee-lap, 46, and Au Yeung Tin-lun, 54, both former prisoners of Tong Fuk Correctional Institution (TFCI), were sentenced to 11 months and eight months in jail respectively. Lau Lap-fan, 59, and Yau Sai-seung, 51, both former prisoners of TFCI, were jailed for five months and six months respectively.
In sentencing, Deputy Judge Mr Jason Wan Siu-ming said the offences committed by the defendants were serious in nature as they had undermined the regulatory system of the CSD.
Leung earlier pleaded guilty to two alternative charges of MIPO. Five other charges of conspiracy to defraud against Leung, which were jointly charged with Chan, were ordered to be left on court file. Three of those charges were also jointly charged with Au Yeung, Lau and Yau respectively.
Chan earlier pleaded guilty to four charges – three of conspiracy to defraud and one of failing to surrender to custody. Lau and Yau earlier each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud.
Meanwhile, Au Yeung today pleaded guilty to two charges – one of conspiracy to defraud and one of failing to surrender to custody.
The case arose from a corruption complaint referred by the CSD. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above offences.
The court heard that at the material time, Leung was an Instructor of the CSD posted to the metal workshop of TFCI and tasked to teach prisoners to make iron products. Chan, Au Yeung, Lau and Yau were then prisoners of TFCI.
Between September 25, 2013 and July 10, 2014, Leung sent 18 letters of Chan and another prisoner of TFCI to two persons, which caused and facilitated other persons to visit five prisoners of TFCI, including Au Yeung, Lau and Yau, in the false capacities as their relatives or friends.
The visits were arranged with an aim to retrieve cash from the properties of those prisoners kept under the custody of the CSD so as to settle their cigarette and/or loan repayments with Chan.
As a result of the bogus prison visits, the CSD was caused to approve release of cash totalling $36,500 from the properties of the prisoners concerned to their respective visitors, the court was told.
The CSD had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Francis Lo, assisted by ICAC officer Jennifer Tam.
Leung Ngan-lam, 37, Instructor of the CSD, received a jail term of six months.
Chan Yee-lap, 46, and Au Yeung Tin-lun, 54, both former prisoners of Tong Fuk Correctional Institution (TFCI), were sentenced to 11 months and eight months in jail respectively. Lau Lap-fan, 59, and Yau Sai-seung, 51, both former prisoners of TFCI, were jailed for five months and six months respectively.
In sentencing, Deputy Judge Mr Jason Wan Siu-ming said the offences committed by the defendants were serious in nature as they had undermined the regulatory system of the CSD.
Leung earlier pleaded guilty to two alternative charges of MIPO. Five other charges of conspiracy to defraud against Leung, which were jointly charged with Chan, were ordered to be left on court file. Three of those charges were also jointly charged with Au Yeung, Lau and Yau respectively.
Chan earlier pleaded guilty to four charges – three of conspiracy to defraud and one of failing to surrender to custody. Lau and Yau earlier each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud.
Meanwhile, Au Yeung today pleaded guilty to two charges – one of conspiracy to defraud and one of failing to surrender to custody.
The case arose from a corruption complaint referred by the CSD. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above offences.
The court heard that at the material time, Leung was an Instructor of the CSD posted to the metal workshop of TFCI and tasked to teach prisoners to make iron products. Chan, Au Yeung, Lau and Yau were then prisoners of TFCI.
Between September 25, 2013 and July 10, 2014, Leung sent 18 letters of Chan and another prisoner of TFCI to two persons, which caused and facilitated other persons to visit five prisoners of TFCI, including Au Yeung, Lau and Yau, in the false capacities as their relatives or friends.
The visits were arranged with an aim to retrieve cash from the properties of those prisoners kept under the custody of the CSD so as to settle their cigarette and/or loan repayments with Chan.
As a result of the bogus prison visits, the CSD was caused to approve release of cash totalling $36,500 from the properties of the prisoners concerned to their respective visitors, the court was told.
The CSD had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Francis Lo, assisted by ICAC officer Jennifer Tam.