Duo charged by ICAC admit perversion over crimes arranged for tipoff by inmates for sentence reduction
2026-3-25
Two defendants charged by the ICAC today (March 25) pleaded guilty to conspiracy to pervert the course of public justice at the District Court. An investigation by the Commission revealed that an inmate of Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre (LCKRC) and his associates had arranged two crimes involving possession of unlawful arms, explosives or drugs to facilitate two other inmates’ applications for sentence reduction by tipping off the Police about the crimes. Early intervention by the ICAC successfully stopped the two arranged crimes.
Sammy Wong Kok-sum, 41, inmate of LCKRC at the material time, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to pervert the course of public justice, contrary to the Common Law and section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance; and one count of failing to surrender to custody without reasonable cause, contrary to section 9L(1) of the Criminal Procedure Ordinance.
Lau Chun-yee, 29, girlfriend of Wong, who were earlier charged with two charges, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to pervert the course of public justice. Another charge against her was left on file at the District Court.
Deputy Judge Mr Li Chi-ho adjourned the case to April 30 for mitigation. Wong was remanded in custody of the Correctional Services Department (CSD) while Lau was granted bail.
The ICAC had filed an application with the court for confiscating crime proceeds in the total sum of about $900,000 involved in the present case, pending hearing at a later date to be fixed.
The case stemmed from a corruption investigation by the ICAC. Between September 2021 and May 2022, Wong was an inmate incarcerated in LCKRC of the CSD where he came to know two other inmates who were respectively involved in a robbery case and a dangerous drugs trafficking case. Both cases were pending mention at the High Court at that time.
The court heard that Wong told his girlfriend Lau and other associates that he had come up with a plan to stage two crimes for the two inmates to provide the relevant information to the Police with a view to leading to successful closure of the cases, facilitating the two inmates’ applications for sentence reduction in the court proceedings of their respective cases. Family members of the two inmates paid Wong $250,000 and $1.25 million respectively.
Upon Wong’s instruction, Lau and Wong’s associates subsequently orchestrated the scam and liaised with parties concerned. The duo prepared to buy an illegal air gun with high energy output and obtained an explosive-making guide for preparing explosives. In addition, they planned to conceal those unlawful articles at a premise and arrange a scapegoat to be arrested by the Police thereat. The ICAC’s early intervention successfully stopped the two pre-arranged crimes.
On July 8, 2025, Wong failed to attend court for mention and a warrant for his arrest was issued by the District Court. He was subsequently arrested and laid an additional charge of failing to surrender to custody without reasonable cause.
Kwan Yu-hin, 26; and Wan Chin-pang, 29, two associates of Wong, were respectively charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of public justice and dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of indictable offence (commonly known as money laundering). They had earlier indicated to the court that they would enter guilty pleas. The case was scheduled for Friday (March 27) for plea at the District Court.
Another co-defendant Cheng Lok-lam, 26, was also charged with one count of money laundering. She pleaded not guilty to the charge and her case was set for trial on July 6.
The CSD and the Police rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Public Prosecutors Noelle Aileen Chit and Catherine Xiao, assisted by ICAC officers Dirk Cheung and Keith Kwok.
Sammy Wong Kok-sum, 41, inmate of LCKRC at the material time, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to pervert the course of public justice, contrary to the Common Law and section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance; and one count of failing to surrender to custody without reasonable cause, contrary to section 9L(1) of the Criminal Procedure Ordinance.
Lau Chun-yee, 29, girlfriend of Wong, who were earlier charged with two charges, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to pervert the course of public justice. Another charge against her was left on file at the District Court.
Deputy Judge Mr Li Chi-ho adjourned the case to April 30 for mitigation. Wong was remanded in custody of the Correctional Services Department (CSD) while Lau was granted bail.
The ICAC had filed an application with the court for confiscating crime proceeds in the total sum of about $900,000 involved in the present case, pending hearing at a later date to be fixed.
The case stemmed from a corruption investigation by the ICAC. Between September 2021 and May 2022, Wong was an inmate incarcerated in LCKRC of the CSD where he came to know two other inmates who were respectively involved in a robbery case and a dangerous drugs trafficking case. Both cases were pending mention at the High Court at that time.
The court heard that Wong told his girlfriend Lau and other associates that he had come up with a plan to stage two crimes for the two inmates to provide the relevant information to the Police with a view to leading to successful closure of the cases, facilitating the two inmates’ applications for sentence reduction in the court proceedings of their respective cases. Family members of the two inmates paid Wong $250,000 and $1.25 million respectively.
Upon Wong’s instruction, Lau and Wong’s associates subsequently orchestrated the scam and liaised with parties concerned. The duo prepared to buy an illegal air gun with high energy output and obtained an explosive-making guide for preparing explosives. In addition, they planned to conceal those unlawful articles at a premise and arrange a scapegoat to be arrested by the Police thereat. The ICAC’s early intervention successfully stopped the two pre-arranged crimes.
On July 8, 2025, Wong failed to attend court for mention and a warrant for his arrest was issued by the District Court. He was subsequently arrested and laid an additional charge of failing to surrender to custody without reasonable cause.
Kwan Yu-hin, 26; and Wan Chin-pang, 29, two associates of Wong, were respectively charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of public justice and dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of indictable offence (commonly known as money laundering). They had earlier indicated to the court that they would enter guilty pleas. The case was scheduled for Friday (March 27) for plea at the District Court.
Another co-defendant Cheng Lok-lam, 26, was also charged with one count of money laundering. She pleaded not guilty to the charge and her case was set for trial on July 6.
The CSD and the Police rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Public Prosecutors Noelle Aileen Chit and Catherine Xiao, assisted by ICAC officers Dirk Cheung and Keith Kwok.