Ex-operator of one-woman brothels jailed for perversion and living on earnings of prostitution
2019-9-20
A former operator of one-woman brothels in Wan Chai, charged by the ICAC, was today (September 20) sentenced to 20 months’ imprisonment at the Eastern Magistracy for conspiracy to pervert public justice by surrendering prostitutes for arrest in police raids under a tip-off arrangement and living on the earnings of prostitution of others.
Cheung Yat-sing, 34, earlier pleaded guilty to three charges – two of conspiracy to pervert the course of public justice, contrary to Common Law and Section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance; and one of living on earnings of prostitution of others, contrary to Section 137(1) of the Crimes Ordinance.
In sentencing, Principal Magistrate Ms Bina Chainrai said the criminal acts of the defendant were serious in nature and had completely sabotaged police raids efforts.
The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above offences.
The court heard that at the material time, the defendant operated one-woman brothels in two buildings in Wan Chai, which had been under enforcement actions undertaken by a Special Duty Squad of Wan Chai District of the Hong Kong Police Force (Police).
On occasions between May 2016 and March 2017, the defendant, another operator of the one-woman brothels, two Police Constables (PCs) then posted to the Special Duty Squad of Wan Chai District, and/or other unknown persons did acts which had a tendency to pervert the course of public justice.
The court heard that the defendant would be notified in advance by the PC(s) concerned as to the date of the routine inspections to be conducted by Police at one of the buildings in Wan Chai.
A pre-determined number of prostitutes, who came to Hong Kong from the Mainland with two-way permits and engaged in prostitution (the designated prostitutes) would be arranged for arrest in the forewarned raids.
The defendant would inform the PC(s) concerned as to which rooms of the building the designated prostitutes were occupying; and Police investigation would only be conducted at the rooms which were occupied by the designated prostitutes during the routine inspections.
The court also heard that between May 2016 and December 29, 2017, the defendant knowingly lived wholly or in part on the earnings of the prostitution of others in the two buildings.
Police had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Public Prosecutor Antony Leung, assisted by ICAC officer Jenny Chan.
Cheung Yat-sing, 34, earlier pleaded guilty to three charges – two of conspiracy to pervert the course of public justice, contrary to Common Law and Section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance; and one of living on earnings of prostitution of others, contrary to Section 137(1) of the Crimes Ordinance.
In sentencing, Principal Magistrate Ms Bina Chainrai said the criminal acts of the defendant were serious in nature and had completely sabotaged police raids efforts.
The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above offences.
The court heard that at the material time, the defendant operated one-woman brothels in two buildings in Wan Chai, which had been under enforcement actions undertaken by a Special Duty Squad of Wan Chai District of the Hong Kong Police Force (Police).
On occasions between May 2016 and March 2017, the defendant, another operator of the one-woman brothels, two Police Constables (PCs) then posted to the Special Duty Squad of Wan Chai District, and/or other unknown persons did acts which had a tendency to pervert the course of public justice.
The court heard that the defendant would be notified in advance by the PC(s) concerned as to the date of the routine inspections to be conducted by Police at one of the buildings in Wan Chai.
A pre-determined number of prostitutes, who came to Hong Kong from the Mainland with two-way permits and engaged in prostitution (the designated prostitutes) would be arranged for arrest in the forewarned raids.
The defendant would inform the PC(s) concerned as to which rooms of the building the designated prostitutes were occupying; and Police investigation would only be conducted at the rooms which were occupied by the designated prostitutes during the routine inspections.
The court also heard that between May 2016 and December 29, 2017, the defendant knowingly lived wholly or in part on the earnings of the prostitution of others in the two buildings.
Police had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Public Prosecutor Antony Leung, assisted by ICAC officer Jenny Chan.