Man gets two years for electricity meter tampering scam after absconding for 14 years
2016-8-19
A man, who was charged by the ICAC after absconding for about 14 years, was today (Friday) sentenced to two years’ imprisonment at the District Court for having conspired with other persons to defraud two electricity companies of over $465,000 in charges by tampering with meters of 18 commercial and residential premises.
Woo Hang-foo, 52, a cleaning worker, earlier pleaded guilty to 17 counts of conspiracy to defraud, contrary to Common Law.
In sentencing, Deputy District Judge Ms Bina Chainrai said she meted out a custodial sentence to the defendant to reflect the seriousness of his offences lasting a long period of time.
The judge added that despite the defendant’s guilty plea and his remorse, she could only reduce his jail term by one-fifth to two years since he had absconded for about 14 years.
The case arose from corruption complaints. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above offences.
The court heard that at the material time, Woo was an electricity technician.
As public utility companies, Hong Kong Electric Company Limited (HK Electric) and CLP Power Hong Kong Limited (CLP Power) supply electricity to Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories respectively.
CLP Power and HK Electric install electricity meters at the premises of their customers to measure the amount of electricity consumed for billing purposes.
The court heard that between June 29 and October 29, 2001, Woo conspired with other persons to tamper with the electricity meters of four eateries and a flat of a residential building on Hong Kong Island, causing HK Electric to lose electricity charges of about $229,000.
Between October 29, 2000 and October 29, 2001, Woo also conspired with other persons to tamper with the electricity meters of a unit of a public housing estate and 12 commercial premises, namely six eateries, two companies, a night club, a bakery, a fitness centre and a car services centre, in Kowloon and the New Territories.
As a result, those premises were undercharged for the units of electricity actually consumed, resulting in CLP Power to lose over $236,000 in electricity charges.
When interviewed under caution by ICAC officers, Woo admitted that he had obtained monetary gains amounting to $133,500, the court was told.
On October 29, 2001, ICAC officers arrested Woo for his alleged role in an electricity meter tampering scam. He was then released on bail pending further enquiries.
Woo absconded from ICAC bail on August 14, 2002. A warrant of arrest was subsequently issued against him.
On May 29, 2016, Woo was arrested by ICAC officers at the Lo Wu Control Point when he returned to Hong Kong from the Mainland.
CLP Power and HK Electric had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
The prosecution was today represented by Public Prosecutor Kasmine Hui, assisted by ICAC officer Angel Lui.
Woo Hang-foo, 52, a cleaning worker, earlier pleaded guilty to 17 counts of conspiracy to defraud, contrary to Common Law.
In sentencing, Deputy District Judge Ms Bina Chainrai said she meted out a custodial sentence to the defendant to reflect the seriousness of his offences lasting a long period of time.
The judge added that despite the defendant’s guilty plea and his remorse, she could only reduce his jail term by one-fifth to two years since he had absconded for about 14 years.
The case arose from corruption complaints. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above offences.
The court heard that at the material time, Woo was an electricity technician.
As public utility companies, Hong Kong Electric Company Limited (HK Electric) and CLP Power Hong Kong Limited (CLP Power) supply electricity to Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories respectively.
CLP Power and HK Electric install electricity meters at the premises of their customers to measure the amount of electricity consumed for billing purposes.
The court heard that between June 29 and October 29, 2001, Woo conspired with other persons to tamper with the electricity meters of four eateries and a flat of a residential building on Hong Kong Island, causing HK Electric to lose electricity charges of about $229,000.
Between October 29, 2000 and October 29, 2001, Woo also conspired with other persons to tamper with the electricity meters of a unit of a public housing estate and 12 commercial premises, namely six eateries, two companies, a night club, a bakery, a fitness centre and a car services centre, in Kowloon and the New Territories.
As a result, those premises were undercharged for the units of electricity actually consumed, resulting in CLP Power to lose over $236,000 in electricity charges.
When interviewed under caution by ICAC officers, Woo admitted that he had obtained monetary gains amounting to $133,500, the court was told.
On October 29, 2001, ICAC officers arrested Woo for his alleged role in an electricity meter tampering scam. He was then released on bail pending further enquiries.
Woo absconded from ICAC bail on August 14, 2002. A warrant of arrest was subsequently issued against him.
On May 29, 2016, Woo was arrested by ICAC officers at the Lo Wu Control Point when he returned to Hong Kong from the Mainland.
CLP Power and HK Electric had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
The prosecution was today represented by Public Prosecutor Kasmine Hui, assisted by ICAC officer Angel Lui.