Two policemen and 11 pawnshop staff face court for bribery
2010-11-17
Two Senior Police Constables (SPCs) and 11 pawnshop staff members have appeared at Kowloon City Magistracy in separate cases after being charged by the ICAC for accepting and offering “ laisees ” during the Lunar New Year.
In the first case, SPCs Tse Kim-hung, 47, and Lo Ka-wai, 54, today each faced 10 counts of prescribed officer accepting an advantage, contrary to Section 3 of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (POBO).
No pleas were taken. Magistrate Mr Anthony Kwok Kai-on adjourned their case until November 30 for plea.
In four other cases, Poon Kwok-keung, 71; Lo Yu-kam, 66; Ma Yung-keung, 69; Au Chi-kong, 49, staff members of four pawnshops, today each faced two counts of offering an advantage to a prescribed officer, contrary to Section 8(1) of the POBO.
In the same investigation, seven staff members of seven other pawnshops, namely Poon Yiu-kur, 77; Law Kwok-bun, 40; Cheung Chuen-ying, 53; Ling Wan-chung, 58; Tse Kin-wo, 58; Ho Ching-lok, 33; and Lee Ka-biu, 62, who were also each charged with two simila r offences under Section 8(1) of the POBO, yesterday (Tuesday) appeared in the same court in seven other cases.
The magistrate adjourned the above 11 cases until January 11 next year for pre-trial reviews.
At the time of the alleged offences, the two SPCs were attached to the District Intelligence Section (Pawnshop) of Kowloon City District and were responsible for liaising with pawnshops within the district on a daily basis.
The two SPCs were alleged to have accepted “ laisees ” from the pawnshop staff members on February 18 this year, without the general or special permission of the Chief Executive.
The pawnshop staff members were alleged to have offered “ laisees ”, ranging from $20 to $500 on each occasion, to the two SPCs on the same day, while having dealings with the Police.
The “ laisees ” allegedly offered by the pawnshop staff members and accepted by the two SPCs amounted to more than $3,000.
The two SPCs were each granted cash bail of $5,000, and ordered not to interfere with prosecution witnesses. The 11 pawnshop staff were each granted cash bail of $3,000.
The Police have rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
An ICAC spokesman advised that with the approach of festive seasons, employees in both the private and public sectors should be mindful of offering and accepting gifts and “ laisees ” to avoid breaching the POBO.
The prosecution in the above cases was represented by ICAC officer Jack Hui.
In the first case, SPCs Tse Kim-hung, 47, and Lo Ka-wai, 54, today each faced 10 counts of prescribed officer accepting an advantage, contrary to Section 3 of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (POBO).
No pleas were taken. Magistrate Mr Anthony Kwok Kai-on adjourned their case until November 30 for plea.
In four other cases, Poon Kwok-keung, 71; Lo Yu-kam, 66; Ma Yung-keung, 69; Au Chi-kong, 49, staff members of four pawnshops, today each faced two counts of offering an advantage to a prescribed officer, contrary to Section 8(1) of the POBO.
In the same investigation, seven staff members of seven other pawnshops, namely Poon Yiu-kur, 77; Law Kwok-bun, 40; Cheung Chuen-ying, 53; Ling Wan-chung, 58; Tse Kin-wo, 58; Ho Ching-lok, 33; and Lee Ka-biu, 62, who were also each charged with two simila r offences under Section 8(1) of the POBO, yesterday (Tuesday) appeared in the same court in seven other cases.
The magistrate adjourned the above 11 cases until January 11 next year for pre-trial reviews.
At the time of the alleged offences, the two SPCs were attached to the District Intelligence Section (Pawnshop) of Kowloon City District and were responsible for liaising with pawnshops within the district on a daily basis.
The two SPCs were alleged to have accepted “ laisees ” from the pawnshop staff members on February 18 this year, without the general or special permission of the Chief Executive.
The pawnshop staff members were alleged to have offered “ laisees ”, ranging from $20 to $500 on each occasion, to the two SPCs on the same day, while having dealings with the Police.
The “ laisees ” allegedly offered by the pawnshop staff members and accepted by the two SPCs amounted to more than $3,000.
The two SPCs were each granted cash bail of $5,000, and ordered not to interfere with prosecution witnesses. The 11 pawnshop staff were each granted cash bail of $3,000.
The Police have rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
An ICAC spokesman advised that with the approach of festive seasons, employees in both the private and public sectors should be mindful of offering and accepting gifts and “ laisees ” to avoid breaching the POBO.
The prosecution in the above cases was represented by ICAC officer Jack Hui.