Ex-private tutor admits uploading HKDSE marking schemes for dishonest gain
2013-5-3
A former private tutor, charged by the ICAC, today (Friday) admitted at the Shatin Magistracy that he had uploaded the marking schemes and oral questions of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE) onto his tutorial website with a view to dishonest gain for himself.
Sze Yat-lung, 36, formerly employed by Circle Circle 8 Limited (CCL), pleaded guilty to one count of obtaining access to computer with criminal or dishonest intent, contrary to Section 161(1)(c) of the Crimes Ordinance.
Principal Magistrate Mr Peter Law Tak-chuen adjourned the case to May 24 this year for sentence, pending background and community service order reports. The defendant was granted cash bail of $1,000.
The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above offence.
The court heard that at the material time, the defendant operated a tutorial website while being employed by CCL.
In 2012, the defendant requested a teacher of a secondary school to provide him with the marking schemes of the HKDSE after learning that the teacher was appointed by the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA) as a marker of Chinese langu age.
As a result, the defendant received the marking schemes and oral questions of the HKDSE from the teacher.
Between April and May 2012, the defendant uploaded those materials obtained from the teacher onto his tutorial website as he believed that such materials could promote its popularity.
The court heard that when netizens clicked on the advertisements posted on the website, profits would be generated.
The proprietor of CCL agreed that should there be any profit generated from the website, the defendant would be entitled to half of it on top of his monthly salary.
HKEAA confirmed that the sharing of those marking schemes and oral questions of the HKDSE with tutors of private tutorial schools and students was strictly prohibited, the court was told.
HKEAA and CCL rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Public Prosecutor Jones Tsui, assisted by ICAC officer Joseph Leung.
Sze Yat-lung, 36, formerly employed by Circle Circle 8 Limited (CCL), pleaded guilty to one count of obtaining access to computer with criminal or dishonest intent, contrary to Section 161(1)(c) of the Crimes Ordinance.
Principal Magistrate Mr Peter Law Tak-chuen adjourned the case to May 24 this year for sentence, pending background and community service order reports. The defendant was granted cash bail of $1,000.
The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above offence.
The court heard that at the material time, the defendant operated a tutorial website while being employed by CCL.
In 2012, the defendant requested a teacher of a secondary school to provide him with the marking schemes of the HKDSE after learning that the teacher was appointed by the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA) as a marker of Chinese langu age.
As a result, the defendant received the marking schemes and oral questions of the HKDSE from the teacher.
Between April and May 2012, the defendant uploaded those materials obtained from the teacher onto his tutorial website as he believed that such materials could promote its popularity.
The court heard that when netizens clicked on the advertisements posted on the website, profits would be generated.
The proprietor of CCL agreed that should there be any profit generated from the website, the defendant would be entitled to half of it on top of his monthly salary.
HKEAA confirmed that the sharing of those marking schemes and oral questions of the HKDSE with tutors of private tutorial schools and students was strictly prohibited, the court was told.
HKEAA and CCL rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Public Prosecutor Jones Tsui, assisted by ICAC officer Joseph Leung.