Auxiliary policeman and five others jailed for vice-related offences
2013-3-18
An auxiliary police constable and five other persons, charged by the ICAC, were today (Monday) sentenced to jail terms of up to 36 months at the District Court for their involvement in operating vice establishments.
Lam Man-yim, 49, auxiliary police constable, was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment while Cheng Chiu-kin, 60, ringleader of the vice activities, received a jail term of 36 months.
Co-defendants Ho Hing-tong, 44, Yau Wai-ming, 49, Wong Wah, 47, and Liza Ki Pui-ling, 55, all unemployed, were each sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment.
Citing a judgment of the Court of Appeal, District Court Judge Mr David Dufton remarked that police officers who broke the law that they were empowered and entrusted to uphold should be given deterrent sentences in order to maintain public confidence and to prevent others from following their example.
The judge ordered that the rental payments in relation to the vice activities, which amounted to over HK$870,000, be confiscated from Lam. The judge had earlier ordered over HK$470,000 and RMB24,000 cash seized from the vice establishments in Kwun Tong t o be confiscated.
Lam, Ho, Yau, Wong and Ki earlier pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to live on earnings of prostitution of others between January 2009 and October 2011, contrary to Section 137(1) and Section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.
Lam further pleaded guilty to an additional count of living on earnings of prostitution of others between March and October 2011, contrary to Section 137(1) of the Crimes Ordinance.
Cheng was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to live on earnings of prostitution of others between January 2009 and October 2011.
The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above offences.
The court heard that between January 2009 and October 2011, Cheng rented subdivided flats from Lam and his girlfriend Stella Lung Chi-wai to operate a brothel in Lok Cheong Building in Kwun Tong while other defendants acted as pimps for the brothel.
Between March and October 2011, Lam further let a subdivided flat in Tak Wah Building in Tsuen Wan to various prostitutes for prostitution.
Co-defendant Lung, 39, unemployed, earlier pleaded guilty to one count of tenant etc. permitting premises or vessel to be used for prostitution between December 2009 and October 2011, contrary to Section 145(1)(a) of the Crimes Ordinance. She had her cas e adjourned to April 9 for sentencing.
The Police had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
The prosecution was today represented by Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Jonathan Man, assisted by ICAC officer Jack Hui.
Lam Man-yim, 49, auxiliary police constable, was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment while Cheng Chiu-kin, 60, ringleader of the vice activities, received a jail term of 36 months.
Co-defendants Ho Hing-tong, 44, Yau Wai-ming, 49, Wong Wah, 47, and Liza Ki Pui-ling, 55, all unemployed, were each sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment.
Citing a judgment of the Court of Appeal, District Court Judge Mr David Dufton remarked that police officers who broke the law that they were empowered and entrusted to uphold should be given deterrent sentences in order to maintain public confidence and to prevent others from following their example.
The judge ordered that the rental payments in relation to the vice activities, which amounted to over HK$870,000, be confiscated from Lam. The judge had earlier ordered over HK$470,000 and RMB24,000 cash seized from the vice establishments in Kwun Tong t o be confiscated.
Lam, Ho, Yau, Wong and Ki earlier pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to live on earnings of prostitution of others between January 2009 and October 2011, contrary to Section 137(1) and Section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.
Lam further pleaded guilty to an additional count of living on earnings of prostitution of others between March and October 2011, contrary to Section 137(1) of the Crimes Ordinance.
Cheng was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to live on earnings of prostitution of others between January 2009 and October 2011.
The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above offences.
The court heard that between January 2009 and October 2011, Cheng rented subdivided flats from Lam and his girlfriend Stella Lung Chi-wai to operate a brothel in Lok Cheong Building in Kwun Tong while other defendants acted as pimps for the brothel.
Between March and October 2011, Lam further let a subdivided flat in Tak Wah Building in Tsuen Wan to various prostitutes for prostitution.
Co-defendant Lung, 39, unemployed, earlier pleaded guilty to one count of tenant etc. permitting premises or vessel to be used for prostitution between December 2009 and October 2011, contrary to Section 145(1)(a) of the Crimes Ordinance. She had her cas e adjourned to April 9 for sentencing.
The Police had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
The prosecution was today represented by Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Jonathan Man, assisted by ICAC officer Jack Hui.