Duo jailed for accepting bribes over exhumation
2010-5-3
Two staff members of a cemetery, charged by the ICAC, were today (Monday) each sentenced to one year’s imprisonment at Kwun Tong Magistracy for accepting bribes in relation to the exhumation of deceased persons.
Hung Yee-lee, 55, Leung Chi-wing, 52, both Assistant Supervisors of Junk Bay Chinese Permanent Cemetery of the Board of Management of the Chinese Permanent Cemeteries (BMCPC), were respectively found guilty of two counts and one count of agent accepting a n advantage, contrary to Section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
In sentencing, Magistrate Mr Sham Siu-man described the bribery offences as cancers. The court was relentless in meting out custodial sentences to the corrupt so as to serve as a deterrent, the magistrate added.
The court heard that the BMCPC allots burial lots at Junk Bay Chinese Permanent Cemetery to Chinese permanent residents in Hong Kong, including those on a non-renewable lease for 10 years.
Upon the expiration of lease of the burial lots, the families of the deceased will have to apply for an exhumation permit from the BMCPC, and engage one of the listed contractors to conduct exhumation.
The defendants were responsible for supervising the exhumation of deceased persons at the cemetery.
The court heard that on July 27, 2007, Hung accepted $500 from a family member of a deceased person as rewards for supervising the exhumation of the deceased person concerned.
On another occasion in July 2008 Hung accepted $100 from an operator of a tombstone factory, which was a listed contractor, for the same reason.
On July 26, 2008, Leung accepted $500 from a staff member of a tombstone factory, which was another listed contractor, as rewards for bringing forward the day of exhumation and supervising the exhumation of a deceased person, the court was told.
The BMCPC had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Tommy Ho, assisted by ICAC officer Raymond Lam.
Hung Yee-lee, 55, Leung Chi-wing, 52, both Assistant Supervisors of Junk Bay Chinese Permanent Cemetery of the Board of Management of the Chinese Permanent Cemeteries (BMCPC), were respectively found guilty of two counts and one count of agent accepting a n advantage, contrary to Section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
In sentencing, Magistrate Mr Sham Siu-man described the bribery offences as cancers. The court was relentless in meting out custodial sentences to the corrupt so as to serve as a deterrent, the magistrate added.
The court heard that the BMCPC allots burial lots at Junk Bay Chinese Permanent Cemetery to Chinese permanent residents in Hong Kong, including those on a non-renewable lease for 10 years.
Upon the expiration of lease of the burial lots, the families of the deceased will have to apply for an exhumation permit from the BMCPC, and engage one of the listed contractors to conduct exhumation.
The defendants were responsible for supervising the exhumation of deceased persons at the cemetery.
The court heard that on July 27, 2007, Hung accepted $500 from a family member of a deceased person as rewards for supervising the exhumation of the deceased person concerned.
On another occasion in July 2008 Hung accepted $100 from an operator of a tombstone factory, which was a listed contractor, for the same reason.
On July 26, 2008, Leung accepted $500 from a staff member of a tombstone factory, which was another listed contractor, as rewards for bringing forward the day of exhumation and supervising the exhumation of a deceased person, the court was told.
The BMCPC had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Tommy Ho, assisted by ICAC officer Raymond Lam.