A woman, charged by the ICAC, was today (March 22) sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment at the Fanling Magistracy for having offered bribes to officers of the Immigration Department (ImmD) for granting permission to her to enter Hong Kong.

Weng Shiping, 68, a Mainland resident, was earlier found guilty by Magistrate Li Chi-ho of two counts of offering an advantage to a public servant, contrary to Section 4(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.

The court heard that the defendant attempted to enter Hong Kong via the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point on the strength of a two-way permit on November 26, 2016.

During the examination by an Acting Senior Immigration Assistant (SIA) of ImmD, the defendant handed some banknotes with some miscellaneous papers to her at the immigration counter.

As the defendant’s identity was in doubt, the Acting SIA referred her to an Immigration Officer (IO) of ImmD for further examination.

When asked about the incident which earlier occurred at the immigration counter, the defendant told the IO that she intended to give $1,000 to immigration officers as an appreciation. The defendant took out a $1,000 banknote from her handbag and placed it on the table.

Upon receipt of the complaint referred by ImmD on the same day, ICAC officers arrested the defendant, the court was told.

ImmD had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.

The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Henry Ma, assisted by ICAC officer Jack Leung.