A former guard supervisor of a private residential estate, charged by the ICAC, was today (Thursday) sentenced to three months’ imprisonment at Fanling Magistracy for soliciting 20 packets of “ laisee ” from a security guard during the Lunar New Year for giving preferential treatment to the latter.

Kam Tze-sang, 57, a former guard supervisor of Wellborn Real Estate Management Limited (Wellborn), faced a charge of agent soliciting an advantage, contrary to Section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance. He changed his plea to guilty in the c ourse of trial.

Deputy Magistrate David Chum Yau-fong remarked that he had to impose a custodial sentence on the defendant in view of the seriousness of the bribery offence.

The court heard that at the material time, Wellborn was the property management company of Dawning Views, a private residential estate in Fanling.

While employed as a guard supervisor by Wellborn, the defendant was responsible for overseeing the security operation and arranging duty rosters for all security guards at the estate on a daily basis.

On February 15 last year, the second day of the Lunar New Year, a day-shift woman security guard, who was stationed at an outdoor guarding post, was assigned to a “fixed post” in the lift lobby of a block at the estate, the court heard.

The defendant approached the woman security guard and solicited 20 packets of “ laisee ” from her, otherwise she would be posted to a post at an open plaza.

The woman security guard understood that the defendant asked for 20 packets of “ laisee ” she had received from the residents, but she turned down his request.

A technician of Wellborn heard the solicitation made by the defendant while passing through the lift lobby of the block after repairing the lighting.

Wellborn prohibited its employees from soliciting or accepting any advantage in relation to the company’s business, the court was told.

The prosecution was today represented by Senior Public Prosecutor June Cheung, assisted by ICAC officer James Cheng.