An assistant foreman of a construction company appeared in the Tuen Mun Magistracy today (Thursday) after being charged by the ICAC with bribing a works supervisor of the Highways Department (HyD) for taking no enforcement actions against breaches of and non-compliance with conditions in a permit for excavation works at Tin Shui Road in Yuen Long.

Lau Ho-yuen, 26, assistant foreman of Maxwell Construction Company (Maxwell), who was charged on Tuesday (February 2), faced one count of offering an advantage to a public servant, contrary to Section 4(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.

No plea was taken. Magistrate Ms Kelly Shui adjourned the case until March 3 this year for plea.

At the material time, the defendant was an assistant foreman of Maxwell, a listed contractor of the Home Affairs Department (HAD) that was awarded the tender of a trial pits survey for construction of covered walkways at Tin Shui Road in Tin Shui Wai, Yuen Long.

Upon an application from the HAD, the HyD issued a permit for the HAD and Maxwell to conduct excavation works at the site. Maxwell had to comply with all the conditions accompanying the excavation permit.

The charge alleged that on May 21, 2015, the defendant, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, offered several hundred dollars to a Works Supervisor II of the HyD as a reward for condoning and taking no enforcement actions with regard to the various breaches of and non-compliance with the conditions provided in the permit for the excavation works at Tin Shui Road.

The defendant was granted cash bail of $3,000, and ordered not to interfere with prosecution witnesses.

The case arose from a corruption complaint referred by the HyD.

The HyD and the HAD had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.

The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Kits Wong.