Classified Criminal Appeals Bulletin 1996-97 · PDF fileClassified Criminal Appeals Bulletin 1996-97 ... in a case digest which do not relate to that subject. ... Tax Evasion

ccab 96/97

Classified Criminal Appeals

Bulletin 1996-97

(reprinted Nov 1998)

Prosecutions Division

Department of Justice

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

ccab 96/97

(i)

A DIGEST OF

HONG KONG CRIMINAL APPEAL CASES

1996 - 1997

Compiled and Edited by

Eddie SEAN, Senior Government Counsel,

based on 24 issues (Jan. 1996 - Dec. 1997) of

Criminal Appeals Bulletins published by the

Prosecutions Division of Department of Justice,

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

ccab 96/97

(ii)

INTRODUCTION

In his introduction to his Digest of 1986-1989, ADDISON J., as he then was, indicated that he was leaving Hong Kong. Like many colleagues, I found his Digest most useful and was disappointed that ADDISON's Digest could not be continued.

As the monthly Criminal Appeals Bulletins published by the Criminal Appeals Unit of our Department summarised judgements of significance, in mid 1990, I decided to classify those judgements from the January 1989 issue onwards. The loose-leaf Classified Appeals Bulletin was first published in May 1990.

In May 1998, I revised the loose-leaf format and published the 1996-97 edition. It has run out of stock and this is a re-print, which includes tables of cases, subject headers, and subject index.

Some cases appear in more than one chapter as they touch on more than one subject. As a token of respect to the original editors of the Criminal Appeals Bulletin, I have decided not to delete or alter the contents. As a result, for a particular subject, you may have one or 2 paragraphs in a case digest which do not relate to that subject. I hope you could bear with that.

I certainly could not have done this all on my own. The original editors of the Criminal Appeals Bulletin wrote the contents of this publication and I just put different paragraphs into place. Many colleagues helped. Ms. Charling CHAN and Ms. Dora FUNG, personal secretaries, Ms. Isis CHAN, Mr. Thomas TSANG, Ms. Phoebe KANG, Legal Trainees, Ms. Mandy CHOI, summer student, and a few others who prefer to remain nameless, all put in long hours. Without them, this book would have taken months longer to publish.

ccab 96/97

(iii)

Table of Contents

Subject Headings

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page (iv) - (v)

Subject Index

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page (vi) - (xxxvi)

Words and Phrases

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page (xxxvii) - (xxxviii)

Digest of Cases

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 1 - 378

ccab 96/97 subjects

(iv)

Subjects

Page No

Adjournment................................. 1

Alibi .............................................. 1

Appeal/Procedure ........................ 2

Arson.......................................... 11

Assault/Wounding ...................... 13

Attempt....................................... 15

Bail ............................................. 16

BOR ........................................... 17

Bribery/Corruption/ICAC............. 25

Case to Answer.......................... 30

C & E.......................................... 30

Character ................................... 34

Charge ....................................... 37

Conspiracy ................................. 38

Corroboration ............................. 43

Costs .......................................... 45

Counsel ...................................... 47

Dangerous Drugs/Proceeds....... 53

Disclosure .................................. 66

Discretion of trial judge............... 69

Evidence .................................... 70

Examination ............................... 71

Expert......................................... 71

Falling Object ............................. 74

False Instrument ........................ 74

Flight .......................................... 75

Forfeiture.................................... 76

Gambling.................................... 78

Page No

Homicide.....................................80

Identification................................90

Immigration .................................93

Joint Enterprise...........................98

Judge ..........................................99

Judge-Summing Up ..................103

Jury ...........................................104

Labour.......................................106

Leave (to appeal to HKCFA).....110

Licensing...................................115

Lies ...........................................117

Magistrates ...............................121

Mitigation ..................................129

Oath/Declaration.......................132

Obscene Articles.......................134

Onus of Proof............................136

Plea...........................................136

Practice and Procedure ............137

Prosecutors/Prosecutions.........151

Proviso......................................158

Public Order..............................159

Road Traffic ..............................160

Self Defence / Provocation .......164

Sentence (Principles)................167

Sentence (Quantum) ................210

Assault and Wounding .......... 210

Arms and Ammunition........... 212

Animals and Plants ............... 215

Arson .................................... 219

Burglary ................................ 220

ccab 96/97 subjects

(v)

Page No

Sentence (Quantum) (cont)

Bribery/Corruption/ICAC ........221

C & E .....................................228

Computer Crimes...................233

Conspiracy to Defraud ...........235

Dangerous Drugs...................235

False Instruments ..................255

Homicide................................258

Immigration............................262

Labour ...................................277

Obscene Articles....................277

Prohibited Articles..................280

Personal circumstances of defendants.............................281

POOW ...................................286

Pervert the course of justice ....................................287

Robbery .................................288

Road Traffic ...........................294

Page No

Sentence (Quantum) (cont)

Sexual Offences.................... 296

Tax Evasion .......................... 301

Theft / Handling / Deception.. 302

Town Planning ...................... 310

Triad ..................................... 311

Sexual Offence .........................312

Statements................................318

Stay of Proceedings..................336

Telecommunication...................344

Theft / Handling / Deception .....345

Town Planning ..........................349

Triad..........................................350

Ultra Vires .................................355

Verdict.......................................356

Vice...........................................358

Voir Dire....................................360

Vulnerable Witness...................364

Witness .....................................371

ccab 96/97 subject index

(vi)

Subject Index

Page

ADJOURNMENT

Refusal of adjournment to obtain legal representation/Accused _forgot_ to instruct lawyer/Magistrate

assisting unrepresented accused/Whether trial unfair................................................................................................ 1

ALIBI

When _Lucas_ direction on lies not required/Whether alibi direction necessary...................................................... 1

APPEAL

Duty of appeal counsel/Allegations against trial judge must be verified................................................................... 2

Conspiracy to defraud/Admissibility of fresh evidence on appeal/Effect of failure to raise issues at

trial/Judge directing jury/ICAC_s duty of disclosure ................................................................................................ 2

Indecent assault/Challenging factual findings on appeal/Role of appellate court/Advantage enjoyed by trial

court .......................................................................................................................................................................... 4

Admission of guilt made in mitigation of sentence/Effect on appeal against conviction out of time/Grant of

leave out of time/Status of mitigation by counsel...................................................................................................... 5

S 83(1)CPO/Application of _lurking doubt_ formula/Use of word _perverse_ does not connote higher test

than provided for by statute....................................................................................................................................... 8

Acting as a member of a triad society/Elements of offence examined/High Court invoking s 119(1)(g)

Cap_227 .................................................................................................................................................................... 9

Citation of comparable cases on appeal rarely helpful .............................................................................................. 9

Appeal on basis that victim disbelieved in later trial/Evidence from later trial admissible as facts closely

linked together/Floodgate not opened by admission of such evidence...................................................................... 9

ARSON

Attempted arson/Ingredients of offence/Mere recklessness not sufficient/Bald admission to MOTS..................... 11

Attempted arson/Attempt must be deliberate/Attempt to commit a crime is an act done with intent ...................... 12


(vii)

Arson/Recklessness/Elements of offence ................................................................................................................ 13

ASSAULT/WOUNDING

AOABH/Religious sect/Non-availability of defence of _religious mortification’......................................................13

Wounding with intent/Self-defence/Subjective approach ....................................................................................... 14

ATTEMPT

Attempted arson/Attempt must be deliberate/Attempt to commit a crime is an act done with intent ...................... 15

BAIL

Section 9L Cap 221/Breach of bail condition/Proceedings for offence to be initiated by

prosecution/Magistrate cannot himself start and conduct proceedings and convict accused/Right to

representation.......................................................................................................................................................... 16

BOR

Section 30(1) POBO/Ambit of offence /Consistency with Article 16(2) BORO .................................................... 17

S 21(4) Cap 227/Refusal to answer questions without just excuse/Procedures to be followed/No conflict

with BORO/Safeguards for contemnor/Standard of proof/Just excuse ................................................................... 19

Unavailability of important defence witness/Application to stay/How judge should ensure fair trial ..................... 20

Gambling in a gambling establishment/S 6 Cap 148/Whether offence of absolute liability, with no

possibility of a defence of honest belief or reasonable excuse/Consistency with A. 5(1) BORO ........................... 21

Unsworn testimony of child/Whether 1995 amendments to ss 3 and 4 Cap 8 contrary to ICCPR/Status of

child evidence examined/Admissibility of video recording of interview with child complainant ........................... 22

BRIBERY/CORRUPTION/ICAC

Effect of striking similarity between evidence of one accused and cautioned statement of another

accused/Effect of s 26 POBO, Cap 201 .................................................................................................................. 25

Acceptance of advantage/Evidence showing loan made by person different from person identified in

particulars of offence/Not material averment .......................................................................................................... 25

Section 9 POBO/Elements of offence/Action or forbearance of agent must be aimed at principal......................... 26

Failure to disclose information under s 13 Cap 201/Meaning of words _any person_/Privilege against self-

incrimination removed/No defence of reasonable excuse ....................................................................................... 27


(viii)

Agent unlawfully accepting advantage/State of mind of accused/Whether accused accepted moneys in

belief that they were a reward for a corrupt act ....................................................................................................... 28

Making off without payment/Reduced sum paid/Absence of complaint/Improper use of Theft Ordinance by

ICAC....................................................................................................................................................................... 29

CASE TO ANSWER

Case to answer/Criteria applicable/Difficulty caused by New Zealand approach ................................................... 30

C & E

Attempting to export unmanifested cargo/Strict liability offence/What must be shown/Ingredients of

attempt/Intention to correct manifest at late stage no defence................................................................................. 30

C & E - Attempting to export/Offence of strict liability/Comments on formulation of question reserved to

Court of Appeal....................................................................................................................................................... 32

Trade descriptions/Importation of goods with false descriptions/What is required to demonstrate _due

diligence_/Extent of liability under s 12 Cap 362/Sale by sample .......................................................................... 32

CHARACTER

Amendment of charge/Effect of s. 27(2)(b) Cap. 227/Failure of defence counsel to reveal good character of

accused.................................................................................................................................................................... 34

Whether immediate direction to disregard evidence of bad character requiring of repetition in summing-

up/No irregularity when accused left to represent himself after dismissal of counsel ............................................ 34

Direction on relevance of previous convictions/Importance of clearly directing jury as to significance of

police arresting an accused upon information ......................................................................................................... 35

Good character direction/Accused pleading guilty at outset of murder trial to theft/Discretion of

judge/Heavily qualified direction nugatory............................................................................................................. 35

Good character directions/Extent of duty on magistrate/Magistrate keeping open mind ........................................ 36

CHARGE

False statement to immigration officer/Formulation of charge................................................................................ 37

Cautioned statements/Challenge to admissibility/Materiality of date in particulars of offence/Conspiracy

hatched on date other than that particularised ......................................................................................................... 37

Acceptance of advantage/Evidence showing loan made by person different from person identified in

particulars of offence/Not material averment .......................................................................................................... 38


(ix)

CONSPIRACY


trial/Judge directing jury/ICAC_s duty of disclosure .............................................................................................. 39

Conspiracy/Charge lacking in particularity/Accused confessing to different conspiracies/Comparison of

confessions not permissible..................................................................................................................................... 41

Conspiracy to defraud/Expression _to defraud_ not self-explanatory/Nature of prosecution case must be

precise and on the face of the indictment/Risk not apparent/Duty of judge to compel prosecutor to give

precise statement of prosecution case...................................................................................................................... 42

CORROBORATION

Dangerous drugs/Fingerprints as corroboration/In court lies as corroboration/“ Turnbull” warning when

surveillance evidence challenged ............................................................................................................................ 43

Section 60 Cap 221/Extent of abolition of rule requiring corroboration of evidence of accomplices/Old

straitjacket not to be resurrected ............................................................................................................................. 44

COSTS

Late costs application/Reluctance to entertain such/Effect on costs order .............................................................. 45

Accused represented by Duty Lawyer Scheme/Award of costs confined to accused_s actual

contribution/Comments on DLS and Costs in Criminal Cases Ordinance .............................................................. 45

Costs order not to be used as an additional penalty................................................................................................. 47

Successful appellant seeking costs/Costs refused as appellant had brought great suspicion on

himself/Appeal allowed for technical reasons......................................................................................................... 47

COUNSEL

Overwhelming prosecution case/Failure of counsel adequately to explain to accused consequence of not

giving evidence ....................................................................................................................................................... 47

Counsel_s conduct as ground of appeal/Allegation of wrong advice not to give evidence/Applicant issuing

contradictory instructions/Need to demonstrate existence of viable defence .......................................................... 48

Whether immediate direction to disregard evidence of bad character requiring of repetition in summing-

up/No irregularity when accused left to represent himself after dismissal of counsel ............................................ 48

Counsel_s conduct as ground of appeal/Applicant to prove misconduct on balance of probability/Accused

ought himself to acknowledge admitted facts.......................................................................................................... 49


(x)

Counsel_s conduct as ground of appeal/Counsel telling accused it would be _disastrous_ if they

testified/Counsel concerned about revelation of previous convictions/Defence case put through cross-

examination and a defence witness ......................................................................................................................... 50

Competence of counsel as ground of appeal/Advice not to testify/Test of flagrantly incompetent advocacy......... 51

Indecent assault/alleged failings of counsel/Grounds not previously argued/Last criminal case heard by

Judicial Committee.................................................................................................................................................. 52

Negligence of counsel/Failure to cross-examine/Defence case not put/Wrongful admission of prejudicial

facts/Advice not to testify........................................................................................................................................ 52

DANGEROUS DRUGS



Manufacturing dangerous drugs/Ingredients of offence/Knowledge by tenant not enough per se/Directions

to be given............................................................................................................................................................... 54

Trafficking offence/Propriety of cross-examination about drug addiction.............................................................. 56

Trafficking/District Judge reversing onus of proof ................................................................................................. 56

Trafficking in heroin/Evidence of heroin addiction/Admissibility/Material irregularities ...................................... 57

Meaning of the words _offer to traffic_ in s 4 and s 4A Cap 134/Same meaning in each section/Offence

committed in each when offer is made .................................................................................................................... 58

Dangerous drugs/Court entitled to draw inference that drugs possessed for trafficking ......................................... 58

Assisting another to retain the benefit of drug trafficking/Meaning of words _concerned in an arrangement_

in s 25(1) of the Drug Trafficking (Recovery of Proceeds) Ordinance/By the operation of s 4(1)(a) the

ambit of _the relevant person_s proceeds of drug trafficking_ in s 25 (1) is widened to include the proceeds

of drug trafficking of others/Observations on the statutory scheme and on whether the indictment was bad

for duplicity............................................................................................................................................................. 59

Direction on relevance of previous convictions/Importance of clearly directing jury as to significance of

police arresting an accused upon information ......................................................................................................... 61

Knowledge of drugs/Failure to inspect bag not direct evidence of knowledge/Possession may point to

knowledge/Subjective test applicable/Constructive knowledge is sufficient........................................................... 61

Trafficking in dangerous drugs/Knowledge as to nature/Absence of caution not fatal to admissibility of

statement ................................................................................................................................................................. 63


(xi)

Conspiracy to traffic in dangerous drugs/Drugs in possession of authorities/Whether object of conspiracy

an impossibility ....................................................................................................................................................... 64

Trafficking in dangerous drugs/Evidence led of numerous offences not charged/Blanket approach

deprecated/Jury invited to select specific offences from a menu of offences/ Correct approach to adduction

of evidence/Prejudice to accused ............................................................................................................................ 64

Drugs valuation/Admissibility of evidence based on information from drug dealers and undercover

agents/Such evidence sufficient to support testimony of prosecution witness......................................................... 66

DISCLOSURE


trial/Judge directing jury/ICAC_s duty of disclosure .............................................................................................. 66

Indecent assault/Recent complaint/Evidence of distress not a legal requirement/Reasons for not

complaining at first opportunity/General complaint acceptable/Non-disclosure of previous statement of

defence witness ....................................................................................................................................................... 69

DISCRETION

Order for separate trials/Discretion of trial judge/Interference on basis of miscarriage of justice .......................... 69

EVIDENCE

Utterance by absent co-accused in presence of accused/Whether part of res gestae/Hearsay................................. 70

Lies direction/Direct conflict between prosecution evidence and defence evidence/No direction

necessary ................................................................................................................................................................. 70

EXAMINATION

Trafficking offence/Propriety of cross-examination about drug addiction.............................................................. 71

EXPERT

Criminal law and practice/Expert evidence/Admissibility and weight where expert may have interest in

result........................................................................................................................................................................ 71

Effect of s. 65B CPO/Expertise of witness to be established/Reasons for conclusions of expert

essential................................................................................................................................................................... 73

FALLING OBJECT

Object dropped from height/Liability of contractor/Whether supervisor a contractor ............................................ 74


(xii)

FALSE INSTRUMENT

Using a false instrument with intent/Section 73 Cap 200/ Double intention must be established ........................... 74

FLIGHT

Flight as evidence of guilt/Consciousness of guilt essential/Clear direction essential............................................. 75

FORFEITURE

Forfeiture/Property seized on unlicensed premises/Nexus between property and offence/Strict interpretation

of penal provision.................................................................................................................................................... 76

GAMBLING

Gambling in a gambling establishment/S 6 Cap 148/Whether offence of absolute liability, with no

possibility of a defence of honest belief or reasonable excuse/Consistency with A. 5(1) BORO ........................... 78

Operating gambling establishment/Distinction between operator and manager of establishment/

Determination of capacity/Irresistible inference ..................................................................................................... 79

HOMICIDE

Murder/Direction to jury upon joint enterprise/Whether confessions wrongly admitted into evidence .................. 80

Murder/Admissibility of confession/Unexplained injury to accused/Alleged police mistreatment/Whether

judge erred in law.................................................................................................................................................... 80

Section 4 Homicide Ordinance/Whether mental infirmity relevant to provocation/Distinction between

diminished responsibility and provocation to be maintained .................................................................................. 81

Murder/Provocation/No burden upon defence of proving the lack of sudden and temporary loss of self-

control ..................................................................................................................................................................... 83

Murder/Self-defence not raised at trial/Basis for self-defence submission/Manslaughter and joint enterprise ....... 83

Judge inviting submission of _No Case_ where evidence weak/ Power of judge to stop case of his own

volition/ Prosecution case must be taken as a whole/Verdict not perverse/Extent of judge_s duty to leave

alternative verdict of manslaughter ......................................................................................................................... 84

Murder/Extent of duty to leave alternative verdict of manslaughter/Right of accused............................................ 85

Provocation : basis for/Effect of comment by prosecutor that accused had pleaded not guilty because guilty

pleas would ............................................................................................................................................................. 86

Murder/Provocation and characteristics of accused/Test to be applied................................................................... 87


(xiii)

Leaving provocation to jury/Procedure for appealing to HKCFA/Certificate of High Court only required

when first limb of s 32(2) Cap 484 engaged/ Application for leave under second limb proceeds direct to

HKCFA/Court declining certificate must identify point of law said to be involved................................................ 88

IDENTIFICATION



Identification based in part on voice identification/Need for _Turnbull_ direction ................................................ 91

District Court/Reasons for verdict/No mention of dangers of identification evidence/Full _Turnbull_

direction not necessary............................................................................................................................................ 91

Fair summary of identification evidence important/No rules can be laid down/“ Turnbull” directions must

be impressed with the authority of the judge and not blunted or watered down...................................................... 92

Dock identification/Circumstances in which dock identifications are permissible/Comments on use of

photographs for identifying purposes...................................................................................................................... 92

IMMIGRATION

Crew member of ship bringing in unauthorised entrants/Statutory defence in s. 37 Cap. 115/Relevant time

for knowledge of status of entrants.......................................................................................................................... 93

Breach of condition of stay/Meaning of _land_/Permission necessary to take up extra job.................................... 94

False statement to immigration officer/Formulation of charge................................................................................ 95

Aiding and abetting illegal immigrant unlawfully to remain/Ambit of certificate issued under s 63A

Cap_115/ Inference to be drawn that Director did not consent to unlawful remaining ........................................... 95

Whether proof required that witness same person as specified in certificate issued under s 63A Cap 115/

Magistrate not required to seek out breaches of 1992 Rules and Directions/Breaches raised for first time on

appeal ...................................................................................................................................................................... 96

What constitutes landing unlawfully in Hong Kong/Leaving fishing vessel for fish farm/Not necessary to

set foot on dry land.................................................................................................................................................. 97

JOINT ENTERPRISE

Murder/Direction to jury upon joint enterprise/Whether confessions wrongly admitted into evidence .................. 98

Criminal intent in joint enterprise not established by proof of a pretence to join in for ulterior motives/Duty

to put incredible defence/Full directions on intent not invariably required............................................................. 99


(xiv)

JUDGE

Judge discharging himself/Discharge amenable to judicial review/Test of bias by judge himself .......................... 99

Judge inviting submission of _No Case_ where evidence weak/ Power of judge to stop case of his own

volition/ Prosecution case must be taken as a whole/Verdict not perverse/Extent of judge_s duty to leave

alternative verdict of manslaughter ....................................................................................................................... 100

Questions of accused by judge rarely necessary/Discrediting of accused/Danger that questions tipped scales

against accused/Judge must remain above the arena/Immaterial that defence did not complain........................... 101

Interventions by trial judge/Judge calling witness to testify/Duty of judge to _harken to the evidence_/

Circumstances under which judge might properly intervene................................................................................. 102

Allegation that judge entered arena/Not incumbent on judge to remain silent and watch justice

miscarry/Judge_s duty to ensure criminal proceedings conducted fairly and to intervene as necessary to

achieve that goal.................................................................................................................................................... 102

JUDGES - SUMMING UP

Lies direction not necessary if lies not relied upon to prove guilt/Emotive language by prosecutor to be

avoided/Requirements of a summing-up ............................................................................................................... 103

JURY


trial/Judge directing jury/ICAC_s duty of disclosure ............................................................................................ 104

Alleged material irregularity/Two jurors allegedly sleeping/Effect on trial/Extent of judge_s

obligations............................................................................................................................................................. 106

LABOUR

Employment Ordinance/Employer improperly withholding wages/Spirit of legislation/Offences laid outside

6-month period/Whether continuous offences....................................................................................................... 106

Termination of employment of pregnant employee/Approach to statutory interpretation/Scope of _mischief

rule_/Section 15 Cap 57 considered/Pre-judging defence case ............................................................................. 108

LEAVE

Application for leave to appeal to HKCFA/Observations on granting of certificate under s 32

Cap 484 ................................................................................................................................................................. 110


(xv)

Application for leave to appeal to HKCFA/Time limit considered/Meaning of _decision_/Lower court

granting certificate must identify point of law/Refusal of leave after certificate granted by lower

court ...................................................................................................................................................................... 111

Leaving provocation to jury/Procedure for appealing to HKCFA/Certificate of High Court only required

when first limb of s 32(2) Cap 484 engaged/ Application for leave under second limb proceeds direct to

HKCFA/Court declining certificate must identify point of law said to be involved.............................................. 113

LICENSING

Amusement Game Centre Ordinance/Power to issue conditions/Effect of repeal of parts of Miscellaneous

Licences Ordinance............................................................................................................................................... 115

Cap 349/Whether self-contained apartment an hotel/Inn and hotel distinguished................................................. 116

Young person in billiard hall/By-law 22C creates an offence of strict liability/Licensee responsible for acts

of his own and of his employees ........................................................................................................................... 117

LIES



When _Lucas_ direction on lies not required/Whether alibi direction necessary.................................................. 118

Lies direction/Lies not relied on by Crown/Circumstances in which lie might support Crown case/Court to

discuss full direction on lies with counsel ............................................................................................................. 119

Lies direction/Direct conflict between prosecution evidence and defence evidence/No direction

necessary ............................................................................................................................................................... 120

MAGISTRATES

Magistrate contrasting conflicting versions/Suspicion that incorrect standard of proof applied ........................... 121

Magistrate_s findings/Extent of duty to evaluate evidence ................................................................................... 121

Summary trial/Section 18 Cap 227/Absent accused represented by counsel deemed to be present/Magistrate

ordering accused to be present .............................................................................................................................. 122

Minor offence/Inexplicable revocation of bail/Appearance of bias ...................................................................... 122

Remand of accused in custody prior to sentence/Accused kept in custody while pre-sentencing reports

prepared/Duty of court to be very careful ............................................................................................................. 123


(xvi)

S. 20(2) Cap 151/Meaning of attending a triad society meeting/Magistrate not required to detail how he

resolves every submission ..................................................................................................................................... 123

Careless driving/Collision between vehicles/Court wrong to adopt a _res ipsa loquitur_ approach ..................... 124

Refusal of adjournment to obtain legal representation/Accused _forgot_ to instruct lawyer/Magistrate

assisting unrepresented accused/Whether trial unfair............................................................................................ 124

Duty of magistrate to unrepresented accused/Magistrate not required to ascertain character of accused/No

duty on prosecutor to tell court of accused_s character/Refusal of adjournment for legal

representation........................................................................................................................................................ 125

Silent trials not permitted/Written materials should be read out/Public must know what is happening ................ 126

Reasons for verdict/Professional magistrate not always required to detail all the law/When magistrate

presumed to know law and to have applied it correctly ........................................................................................ 126

Intervention by magistrate in trial/View formed by informed bystander of conduct of trial ................................. 126

Insulting behaviour before a magistrate/Section 99 Cap 227/Proper procedures must be deployed/Accused

deprived of chance to explain, to defend or to seek legal advice .......................................................................... 127

Good character directions/Extent of duty on magistrate/Magistrate keeping open mind ...................................... 128

Accused denied proper legal representation at trial/Justice not seen to have been done....................................... 129

MITIGATION

Admission of guilt made in mitigation of sentence/Effect on appeal against conviction out of time/Grant of

leave out of time/Status of mitigation by counsel.................................................................................................. 129

Accused wishing to testify on oath/Magistrate enquiring of religious knowledge/Oaths and Declarations

Ordinance/Accused compelled to affirm/Perceived prejudice .............................................................................. 132

Statutory declaration under Oaths and Declarations Ordinance/No oral declaration made/Statutory

declaration in same category as oath .....................................................................................................................133

OBSCENE ARTICLE

Cap 390/Possession for the purpose of publication : meaning of _publication_/Forfeiture of obscene articles

in transit/Effect of publication abroad................................................................................................................... 134

Obscene Articles Tribunal/Giving of reasons/Adequacy of reasons/Not appropriate to issue guidelines on

what is indecent and obscene ................................................................................................................................ 135


(xvii)

ONUS OF PROOF

Trafficking/District Judge reversing onus of proof ............................................................................................... 136

PLEA

Unequivocal plea of guilty entered on legal advice/Application to reverse plea/Procedure for court to

follow/Discretion to be exercised judicially.......................................................................................................... 136

PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE

Assistance to police officer after sentence and after expiry of time for appealing/Proper procedure is to

petition the Governor ............................................................................................................................................ 137

S 83V CPO/Court declining to receive new evidence on appeal/Conscious decision not to call the evidence

at trial .................................................................................................................................................................... 137

Theft/Whether alternative charges appropriate where identity of victim unclear/Verdicts on alternative

charges/Identity of victim not invariably material................................................................................................. 137

Guilty plea/Application to reverse plea due to wrong advice of counsel as to likely sentence/Plea not a

nullity .................................................................................................................................................................... 138

Application for permanent stay of proceedings/Delay of 10 years since charge/Abuse of process/Prejudice

arising from delay/Pre-trial publicity and poor health........................................................................................... 139

Retrial/Factors affecting order/Whether interests of justice best served ............................................................... 144

Authenticated Chinese text of Estate Duty Ordinance not correct/Original legislation to be acted upon/Error

ought not to be given effect................................................................................................................................... 145

Appeal against sentence/Basis for interference ..................................................................................................... 145

Food Business (Urban Council) By-Laws, Cap 132/Addition to approved plan/Difference of meaning in the

English language text and the Chinese language text of the Ordinance/Difference cannot be

reconciled.............................................................................................................................................................. 145

Appeal out of time/Comments on cooperation given by accused subsequent to sentence/Clemency by

executive/No reason to believe executive clemency will not survive handover .................................................... 146

Appeal against sentence/Conviction a nullity/Application for leave to appeal out of time must be acceded

to/Inherent jurisdiction of Court of Appeal exercisable outside framework of Criminal Procedure

Ordinance/Not appropriate to substitute conviction for other offence .................................................................. 147

Appeal from magistrate/Ambit of s 113 Cap 227/ Interlocutory orders not challengable on appeal..................... 147


(xviii)

Case stated/Delay regrettable/Duty on judge to promote expedition/Time-table desirable/Effect of delay on

sentence................................................................................................................................................................. 148

Forfeiture of proceeds of crime under s 102 Cap 221/Right of affected party to be heard/Judge making

ultra vires order/No right of appeal/Indications as to achievement of just outcome ............................................. 149

Citation of comparable cases on appeal rarely helpful .......................................................................................... 149

Proceeds of drug trafficking found on accused/Distinction between confiscation order and fine/Fine not to

be used in substitution of confiscation order ......................................................................................................... 150

Accused late at court/No power to fine as punishment.......................................................................................... 150

Meaning of _conviction_/Court not functus officio until guilt established and sentence passed ........................... 150

Assistance to authorities after time for appealing has expired/Correct course to petition Chief Executive for

clemency ............................................................................................................................................................... 151

PROSECUTORS/PROSECUTIONS



Prosecutor_s opening containing reference to evidence subsequently ruled inadmissible/Court redressing

situation................................................................................................................................................................. 152

Prosecution witnesses/Extent of duty to call witness............................................................................................. 153

Retrial/Application to stay proceedings/Whether fair trial possible after police officers had twice rehearsed

their evidence ........................................................................................................................................................ 154

Voire dire/Cross-examination of police officers upon evidence in earlier trials/Extent of duties of

prosecution............................................................................................................................................................ 155

Duty of magistrate to unrepresented accused/Magistrate not required to ascertain character of accused/No

duty on prosecutor to tell court of accused_s character/Refusal of adjournment for legal

representation........................................................................................................................................................ 155

Trafficking in dangerous drugs/Evidence led of numerous offences not charged/Blanket approach

deprecated/Jury invited to select specific offences from a menu of offences........................................................ 156

PROVISO

Verbal admission/Extent of duty of court to enquire into voluntariness/Proviso not available when

confession wrongly admitted................................................................................................................................. 158


(xix)

PUBLIC ORDER

Unlawful assembly/Breach of peace may occur in private/Elements of offence under s 18 Cap 245/Limits

to _right of self-defence_/Not necessary to call third parties to testify as to fear of breach of peace/

Affray.................................................................................................................................................................... 159

Disorderly conduct/Breach of peace requires threatened or actual violence/Insulting behaviour not breach

of peace/Police acting in execution of duty........................................................................................................... 160

ROAD TRAFFIC

Section 4 Cap 272/Whether forklift truck a motor vehicle/Meaning of _intended or adapted for use on

roads’.............................................................................................................................................................................160

Road traffic/Refusal to provide breath sample/Physical discomfort no ground for refusal to provide breath

sample/Object of legislation/‘ Throwing’ and ‘ laying’ ...........................................................................................161

Road traffic/Chain collision/Actual carelessness essential to establish careless driving/Fact of collision

insufficient............................................................................................................................................................. 162

Careless driving/No notice of intention to prosecute served/Court must consider inherent probability of

prejudice occasioned by non-service..................................................................................................................... 163

SELF DEFENCE/PROVOCATION

Fighting in a public place/Accused possibly acting in self-defence/Duty on magistrate properly to evaluate

evidence ................................................................................................................................................................ 164

Murder/Self-defence not raised at trial/Basis for self-defence submission/Manslaughter and joint

enterprise............................................................................................................................................................... 164

Self-defence/Direction to jury/Whether judge required to direct with precision on state of mind of

accused.................................................................................................................................................................. 165

Wounding with intent/Self-defence/Subjective approach ..................................................................................... 166

Interviewing young accused in absence of parent or guardian/Whether self-defence and provocation

directions required where offender uses knife for purpose contemplated ............................................................. 167

SENTENCE (PRINCIPLES)

Immigration - Change in family circumstances rarely relevant to sentence on appeal/Assistance to

authorities usually matter for executive/When assistance matter for court............................................................ 168

Compensation order/No power to order imprisonment in default ......................................................................... 168

Accused absconding at trial/Sentence in absence/8 years as fugitive/Effect of voluntary surrender..................... 168


(xx)

Discount for guilty plea/Discount of one third not automatic ............................................................................... 169

Burglary in domestic premises/Starting point/More than one offence/Suspended sentence rarely

appropriate/Uniformity in sentencing/Discount on review.................................................................................... 169

OSCO/Section 27/Enhanced penalty/New Provision analysed/Appropriate increase/Correct

approach................................................................................................................................................................ 170

Robbery/Training centre appropriate in exceptional cases.................................................................................... 172

Sentencing for _Ice_/Mitigating factors considered/Need to avoid sense of grievance as between

co-accused............................................................................................................................................................. 173

Multiple robberies/Effect of late pleas/Effect on mitigation of false testimony given for co-accused .................. 174

Assistance to police/Serious crimes prevented/Discount in excess of 50% appropriate ....................................... 175

Guilty plea/Discount to be reduced if accused is caught red-handed ................................................................... 175

HIV infection/No reduction in sentence on compassionate grounds..................................................................... 175

Blackmail/Late expression of remorse/No normal range of sentence ................................................................... 176

Credit for guilty plea/Discretion whether to grant 1/3rd discount/Late plea/Evidence overwhelming.................. 176

OSCO/Enhanced penalty/New provision analysed/Appropriate increase/Correct approach................................. 177

OSCO/Enhanced penalty/Vice establishment/Objectives of legislation/Admissibility of material as to

prevalence ............................................................................................................................................................. 179

Ambit of immunity/Need to protect those who assist authorities .......................................................................... 179

Indictable offence/Powers of court to order restitution with prison in default/No appeal from criminal

bankruptcy order ................................................................................................................................................... 180

Sentencing procedure/Starting point must have regard to _all_ the sentences of an accused................................ 181

Robbery and possession of firearm/Propriety of consecutive sentences/Whether both counts

appropriate ............................................................................................................................................................ 182

Assistance to police/Discount for _supergrass_/_Sivan_ factors applicable to Hong Kong .................................. 182

_Supergrass_/Discount of two-thirds is the maximum/Each case turns on its own facts....................................... 183

Accused not to be punished for conduct of defence/Attack on police evidence not an aggravating

factor ..................................................................................................................................................................... 183

Section 10 POBO/Specific finding as to excess between official earnings and standard of living not

essential/Starting point/Discount due to delay in prosecution of case................................................................... 184


(xxi)

Indebtedness no excuse for trafficking in drugs/Discount for guilty plea reduced if accused caught red-

handed or enters late plea...................................................................................................................................... 184

Starting point for sentence to be precisely indicated/Not sufficient to identify a general range............................ 184

Immigration - Employment of persons not lawfully employable/Guideline starting point of 15 months

applicable to all such offences/Discount for plea of 50% wrong in principle ....................................................... 185

Discount where accused provides information or other assistance/Public interest/Procedure in _R v Sivan_

to be adopted where possible/Co-accused generally to be dealt with together/Undesirability of different

judges dealing with separate aspects of the same case .......................................................................................... 186

Medical condition of accused matter for Executive not Court of Appeal ............................................................. 187

Grounds of clemency based on condition of parents/Judge sentencing on basis of defalcations outside scope

of proven criminality/Observations on appeals against sentence made out of time............................................... 187

Young offenders aged between 16 and 21 years/Excepted offences under s 109A Cap 221/Courts to be

wary of sending young offenders to prison ........................................................................................................... 188

Family circumstances/Effect upon sentence of letter to court from relative of accused........................................ 189

Multiple offences/Venue of trial not appropriate/Correct approach to sentence/Discount to be calculated

from jurisdictional limit ........................................................................................................................................ 189

Entrapment as mitigation/Accused who contested guilt also entitled to discount if entrapped/Disparity in

sentencing.............................................................................................................................................................. 190

S. 45 Cap 136/Considerations affecting hospital order/Movement of patient from Siu Lam to Castle

Peak/Application to disapply proviso to s 47(c) Cap 136 ..................................................................................... 190

Accused absconding on bail/Re-arrest years later/Effect on sentence of good conduct while unlawfully at

large ...................................................................................................................................................................... 192

Concurrent and consecutive sentences/Distinct and separate offences/Sentence for preventing lawful burial

of a corpse/ Guilty plea attracting minimum (or no) discount............................................................................... 192

Offence deserving of punishment outside sentencing jurisdiction of court/District judge right to impose

maximum sentence permitted by jurisdiction........................................................................................................ 193

Training centre order/Suspension of order during prison term of 21 months/Relevant factors............................. 194

Effect of criminal record upon sentence/Surrender to police as mitigation........................................................... 195

Magistrate selecting training centre rather than detention centre/Competing considerations/Objectives of

respective schemes ................................................................................................................................................ 195


(xxii)

Conspiracy and substantive offence/One-third discount for plea not a right or a fixed formula/Discount for

cooperation reduced to reflect bad criminal record/Mathematical approach discouraged/Concern with

ultimate correctness of sentence, not just steps to it .............................................................................................. 196

Deception and theft offences/Correct approach to sample charges/Taking offences into consideration

requires consent of accused/Defence shortening trial by not putting Crown to full proof/Accused entitled to

proper sentence on appeal ..................................................................................................................................... 197

Unhappy juxtaposition of DATC order and prison term followed by deportation/Desirability of outstanding

charges being dealt with by same court/Comments on efficacy of supervision following DATC......................... 198

Not guilty by virtue of insanity/Amendment to legislation subsequent to trial/Power of appellate

court ...................................................................................................................................................................... 199

Entrapment/Impact on sentence/Entrapment to be relevant need not occur at instigation of police...................... 200

POOW/Hospital order not an option under s 33(1) Cap 245/Sentencer in error in increasing prison term to

protect public/Comments on sentencing of chronic schizophrenic guilty of POOW offence................................ 201

Starting point must be indicated/Courts must demonstrate they will not tolerate violence designed to

intimidate and to extort money.............................................................................................................................. 201

Accused in DATC sent to prison/Accused should be allowed to complete treatment in the absence of

compelling reasons................................................................................................................................................ 202

Discount for plea/Duty of judge to give reasons for departure from norm............................................................ 202

Perverting course of public justice/Police officer framing innocent man/Gravity of offence/Suspended

sentence of imprisonment not appropriate............................................................................................................. 202

Assistance to police/Promise to testify prompting co-accused to plead guilty/Promise could not be

fulfilled/Incentive to plead guilty .......................................................................................................................... 203

Assistance to police/Disclosure of information in cautioned statement attracts usual discount of one-

third/When additional discount attracted .............................................................................................................. 204

Cautioned statement implicating others does not entitle accused to greater discount/Late plea may reduce

discount/Offer of assistance which produces nothing material not relevant.......................................................... 204

Burglary and being an unlawful entrant/Consecutive sentences proper/Duty on courts to protect

householders/Leniency not appropriate................................................................................................................. 205

Sentencing jurisdiction of District Court/Discount for plea to be made from appropriate sentence not from

jurisdictional limit of 7 years/Shift in sentencing policy ....................................................................................... 205

Calculation of sentence/Time in custody in China/Relevance of flight to China/Whether credit for time in

custody in China to be applied before or after any discount to reflect mitigation a matter for discretion of

sentencer ............................................................................................................................................................... 206


(xxiii)

Adjustment to prison term to avoid additional and disproportionate punishment/Accused facing forfeiture

of permanent resident status in United States unless sentence reduced................................................................. 207

Fine/Capacity to pay/Court in error to impose prison term because accused could not pay fine .......................... 208

SENTENCE (QUANTUM)

Animals

Chapter 187/Gravity of offences against legislation designed to protect wildlife from slaughter and

commercial exploitation/Minimum level of fine ................................................................................................... 215

Endangered species/Offence not in relation to a highly endangered species/Higher penalty if commercial

purpose.................................................................................................................................................................. 219

Endangered species/Tough sentences required for dealers in animal parts/Fines must take account of

means/Distinction between genuine animal parts and purported parts.................................................................. 218

Protection of endangered species offences/Element of deterrence/Ability to pay/Small-scale

operation ............................................................................................................................................................... 216

Protection of endangered species offences/Gravity of offence/Sentence to be in line with tariff prevailing

when offence arose/Fine must not be disproportionate to means .......................................................................... 217

Arms

Having arms and ammunition with intent to commit robbery/Starting point/Offence instigated by

undercover police officer/Relevance of personal circumstances........................................................................... 212

Simple possession of arms and ammunition/Eight years still a proper sentence after guilty plea ......................... 215

Possession of stun gun/Possession of starting pistol/Gravity of offences.............................................................. 213

Possession of arms and ammunition/sections 13 and 16 Cap 238 contrasted/Not wise to define worst case

scenario/Worst cases fall within broad band ......................................................................................................... 213

Arson

Arson/Danger to life/Gravity of offence/Attempted suicide of offender ............................................................... 219

Assault/Wounding

Assault/Need to protect taxi drivers/Assault on police will attract imprisonment................................................. 212

Causing grievous bodily harm/Victim hospitalised for long period/Continued paralysis/Starting point of at

least 5 years appropriate........................................................................................................................................ 210


(xxiv)

Factual basis for sentence/Gap in agreed basis for sentencing/When separate facts necessary/

AOABH/Gang fight/Provocation manslaughter .................................................................................................... 261

Serious case of unlawful wounding/Young victim/Effect of plea of leniency from father of victim..................... 211

Unlawful wounding/Battery of baby/Sentence required to reflect public adhorrence/Duty of court to show

that public will not tolerate such child abuse ........................................................................................................ 211

Wounding with intent/Chopper attack/Loss of eye ............................................................................................... 210

Bribery

POBO/Soliciting and accepting advantages as an agent/Appropriateness of orders to repay bribes and to

pay prosecutions costs........................................................................................................................................... 221

Conspiracy to offer advantages/Vice operator paying for police protection/Police inspired

corruption.............................................................................................................................................................. 222

Section 10 POBO/Specific finding as to excess between official earnings and standard of living not

essential/Starting point/Discount due to delay in prosecution of case................................................................... 224

Offering advantages to public servant/Three years proper after trial/Gravity of corruption/Multiplicity of

offences/Maximum penalties relevant/Corruption of an already corrupt officer is not mitigation........................ 223

Corruption/Soliciting and accepting advantages/Consecutive sentences/Discount for clear record/

Restitution order mandatory/Meaning of _such person_ in s 12 POBO................................................................ 225

Conspiracy to offer advantage to public servant/Immediate custodial sentence appropriate save in

exceptional circumstances/Gravity of corruption.................................................................................................. 226

S4 POBO/Police officer/Corruption in course of duty/Gauging gravity of offence/Clear record ......................... 224

Section 3 POBO/Bare loan and repayment situation/Maximum penalty relevant/One transaction rule

applied................................................................................................................................................................... 225

Offering an advantage/Accused in anguish acting on spur of the moment/Exceptional case may justify

suspended sentence of imprisonment .................................................................................................................... 227

Burglary

Aggravated burglary/Weapon carried/Illegal immigrant/Sentencing considerations ............................................ 221

Burglary in domestic premises/Starting point/More than one offence/Suspended sentence rarely

appropriate/Uniformity in sentencing/Discount on review.................................................................................... 220


(xxv)

C & E

C & E - Copyright/Infringing copies of discs/Guidelines not appropriate/Deterrent sentences required/Hong

Kong_s commercial reputation requires protection............................................................................................... 232

C & E - Furnishing false or misleading information for export licence/Culpability involved in attempt to

defeat free quota system/Adverse impact upon Hong Kong_s trading reputation/Calculation of fine .................. 229

Section 5 Copyright Ordinance Cap 39/Possession of _pirated_ compact discs/Trade carried out in open

defiance of law/Hong Kong_s international obligation to stamp out trade in _pirated_ intellectual

property/Deterrent custodial sentences on 19 year old salesmen with clear records approved ............................. 228

Selling CDs infringing copyright/Wrong to send 14 year old to DATC after trial/Probation

preferable/Comments on need for expedition by Legal Aid Department .............................................................. 231

Computer Crimes

Destruction of computer files/Deterrent sentences required to protect reputation of HKSAR/Court to have

regard to maximum penalty/Breach of trust/Restitution........................................................................................ 233

Conspiracy

Conspiracy to defraud/Relevance to mitigation of victim banks recouping losses................................................ 235

Conspiracy to offer advantages/Vice operator paying for police protection/Police inspired

corruption.............................................................................................................................................................. 222

Conspiracy to pervert course of justice/Worst case scenario/Reduced discount for guilty plea/Wide

discretion in sentence/Sentence increased on appeal under s 83I Cap 221 ........................................................... 287

Conspiracy to possess false instruments/Effect of guilty plea and assistance to ICAC ......................................... 255

DD

Possession of drugs in prison/Gravity of offence/Consecutive sentence required/Correct approach to totality

.............................................................................................................................................................................. 235

Trafficking in small quantities of hard drug/Multiple offences/District Court proper venue/Undercover

police not agents provocateurs .............................................................................................................................236

Trafficking in dangerous drugs/Detention centre order requires consent of Commissioner/Training centre

not a soft option and appropriate in exceptional circumstances ............................................................................ 243

Drug trafficker/Large quantity/Sentencer aware of all relevant factors/Basis for interference by appellate

court/DATC order not appropriate for young offender with bad criminal record ................................................. 249

Sentencing for _Ice_/Mitigating factors considered/Need to avoid sense of grievance as between

co-accused............................................................................................................................................................. 254


(xxvi)

Assistance to police/Whether accused a supergrass/Evidence against confederates resulting in

conviction.............................................................................................................................................................. 248

Assisting another to retain the benefit of drug trafficking/ Money laundering/Accused not major

players/Use of maximum penalty as starting point/Effect of delay ....................................................................... 240

Cocaine/Massive quantity/Foreign status of accused producing additional hardship/Combining very long

and very short sentences/Grant of leave out of time.............................................................................................. 251

Sentencing for _ice_/Latent risk factor/More serious view might be taken in future ............................................ 253

Dangerous Drugs - Doing act preparatory to or for the purpose of trafficking in substances believed to be a

dangerous drug/Over 1 kg/Purpose undoubtedly to adulterate heroin/Imprisonment required ............................. 250

Manufacturing dangerous drugs/Sentencing considerations/ Quantity not decisive factor/New level of

sentence................................................................................................................................................................. 244

Dangerous drugs/Fifteen years for 88 year old/Drug syndicates must not be encouraged to recruit aged

people.................................................................................................................................................................... 245

Unlawful possession of _ice_/DATC report essential before imprisonment for s8 Cap 134 offence/Latent

risk factor relevant to sentence.............................................................................................................................. 248

Possession of MDMA (_Ecstasy_)/Semi-hard drug/Less addictive than cocaine or heroin/Starting

point ...................................................................................................................................................................... 236

Dangerous drugs/Midazolam/Increased use and concomitant to drug abuse/Guidelines awaited from Court

of Appeal/Approach to totality.............................................................................................................................. 242

Dangerous drugs/Possession of apparatus fit and intended to be used/Public display of paraphernalia of

drug consumption an aggravating factor ............................................................................................................... 241

DD - Trafficking in herbals cannabis/Record seizure of 792.11 kilos/Sentencing considerations/

Storekeeper plays significant role/Starting point of 30 years correct .................................................................... 237

DD - Trafficking in tiny quantity/Discount for guilty plea reduced if defendant caught red-handed and

enters late plea....................................................................................................................................................... 238

Inhaling dangerous drugs/Offence on a par with simple possession/Usual range of 9 to 12 months_

imprisonment......................................................................................................................................................... 251

Trafficking in massive quantity of _ice_/Need of parents for care not mitigation/Such offences inflict great

misery on the parents of those who become addicted in consequence .................................................................. 246

Pharmacy/Unlawful sales of drugs and Part 1 poisons very serious/Whether police undercover operation

entrapment/No requirement on police to intervene sooner than they did/Magistrate in error in drawing

distinction between trafficking and possession for the purpose of trafficking....................................................... 238


(xxvii)

Trafficking in diazapam/Diazapam and methaqualone contrasted/Sentencing approach...................................... 246

Possession of midazolam/Guidance as to sentencing level/Narcotic weight the relevant factor/Midazolam

and methaqualone on a par.................................................................................................................................... 252

False Instruments

Credit card fraud/Sentencing guidelines/Medium size operation with no elaborate planning/No international

dimension.............................................................................................................................................................. 255

Conspiracy to possess false instruments/Effect of guilty plea and assistance to ICAC ......................................... 255

Section 75 Cap 200/Possession of false instruments/Gravity of substantial credit card fraud .............................. 256

Credit card fraud/Courier defined/Fraud upon shop keepers of Hong Kong requires deterrent

sentence................................................................................................................................................................. 257

Using false instrument with intent/False applications used to obtain credit cards/Offence can be

characterised as credit card fraud/Applicability of credit fraud guidelines ........................................................... 257

Handicapped Accused

Handicapped accused/Offence committed to raise money for operation/Relevance to mitigation........................ 283

Handicapped Defendant

Handicapped defendant/Hardship in prison/Effect of handicap on sentence ........................................................ 285

Homicide

Manslaughter by arson/Throwing molotov cocktails into old people_s home/Sentencing

considerations........................................................................................................................................................ 259

Manslaughter/Joint enterprise to do some harm/Knowledge that co-accused had knife but contemplating

use solely to threaten............................................................................................................................................. 260

Homicide - Diminished responsibility manslaughter/Defendant psychotic due to drugs at time of

offence/Defendant cured by time of trial/5 years imprisonment proper ................................................................ 258

Young offender convicted of murder/Mandatory sentence of life imprisonment imposed/Legislative change

to sentence between dates of sentence and appeal/Accused able to benefit/Determinate term

substituted ............................................................................................................................................................. 285

Attempted murder/Sentence of 20 years_ imprisonment within accepted range ................................................... 261

Manslaughter/Planned gang attack/Accused aged 16 years/ Late plea/Starting point of 12 years_

imprisonment not excessive .................................................................................................................................. 261


(xxviii)

Manslaughter on basis of provocation/Husband killing wife/Sentence in excess of 7 years justified/Court

not disadvantaged by absence of starting point/Wife agreeing to intercourse prior to offence ............................. 260

Factual basis for sentence/Gap in agreed basis for sentencing/When separate facts necessary/AOABH/

Gang fight/Provocation manslaughter ................................................................................................................... 261

Immigration

Immigration offences/Gravity of/Principles applicable on review ........................................................................ 264

Immigration - Employment of persons not lawfully employable/Guideline starting point of 15 months

applicable to all such offences/Discount for plea of 50% wrong in principle ....................................................... 265

Immigration - Crew members of ship bringing in unauthorised entrants/Potential danger to passengers/

5_years a proper starting point .............................................................................................................................. 263

Immigration - Change in family circumstances rarely relevant to sentence on appeal/Assistance to

authorities usually matter for executive/When assistance matter for court............................................................ 262

Immigration - Assisting unauthorised entrants to enter HK/Endangering safety at sea/Gravity of offences/

Effect of administrative detention ......................................................................................................................... 264

Aiding and abetting illegal immigrant to remain/Magistracy entitled to know what approach to adopt/Duty

on appellate courts to hold the line save in exceptional circumstances/Disparity of sentence .............................. 267

Immigration - Breach of deportation order/No distinction proper when sentencing illegal immigrants from

Vietnam and China/Deterrent sentence required................................................................................................... 271

Immigration - Breach of deportation order/Unlawful remaining/Maximum sentence relevant/Deterrence of

recidivist/Prevalence of offence/No law entitling accused who pleads guilty to discount .................................... 275

Immigration - Aiding and abetting remaining of illegal immigrant/Appellant not collaborating with

girlfriend unlawfully to come/Appellant not offering girlfriend employment/Normal sentence of

6 months................................................................................................................................................................ 276

Immigration - Assisting illegal immigrants/Deceiving immigration authorities/Impact on sentence of

offences taken into consideration/Accused revealing hitherto unknown offences/Discount on review................. 274

Immigration - Assisting remaining of illegal immigrant/Close relationship is good mitigation/Factors to be

taken into account in deciding proper sentences for aiding, abetting or assisting illegal immigrants to

remain/Comments upon status of s 37DA(1) and s 38(1)(b) Cap 115 .................................................................. 269

Immigration - Assisting passage of unauthorised sampan/Motorised sampan not equipped with safety

equipment/Pregnant females on board/Aggravating factors/Four years proper after trial ..................................... 272

Immigration - Disabled beggar/Illegal immigrant/Offender_s medical condition can justify departure from

_So Man-king_ guidelines..................................................................................................................................... 274


(xxix)

Immigration offences/Court must cite guidelines case relied upon/A judgment only constitutes a guideline

case if the Court of Appeal declares it to be such/R v Durup not a guideline case/Reference to judgment

given after instant offences/ Multiplicity of offences ............................................................................................ 270

Immigration - Vessel bringing illegal immigrants into Hong Kong/Crew from Vietnam to be treated in same

way as crew from China/Guidelines/ Greater penalties proper in future............................................................... 273

Young illegal immigrants/Court misled as to age/Sentencing approach/Sixteen years not _extreme

youth’.............................................................................................................................................................................268

Immigration - Policy considerations produce guidelines for sentencing of illegal immigrants from

China/Guidelines not applicable to illegal immigrants from Vietnam................................................................... 267

Immigration - Possession of a forged travel document/Range of sentence ........................................................... 263

Sentencing policy for Vietnamese illegal immigrants should be the same as for Chinese illegal

immigrants............................................................................................................................................................. 272

Labour

Contractor neglecting safety of employee/No tariff/ Relevance of statistics/Magistrate seeking

assistance............................................................................................................................................................... 277

Obscene Articles

Publishing and possessing obscene articles/Duty on court to determine degree of obscenity/Imprisonment

proper for first offenders ....................................................................................................................................... 277

Possession of obscene articles for publication/186 tapes/Particulars of offence/Magistrate not required to

view tapes.............................................................................................................................................................. 278

Possession of obscene articles for publication/‘ Hardness’ of material an aggravating factor/Imprisonment

appropriate for less ‘ hard’ material/Effect of recidivism/Activation of suspended sentence .............................. 278

Obscene articles offences require custodial sentences/Bail money not indicator of capacity to pay

fine/Inquiry as to financial capability necessary/Fine not to be financially crippling............................................ 279

Prohibited articles

Sending prohibited articles by post/Criminal intimidation/Offences aimed at those involved in

administration of justice/Severe sentences required.............................................................................................. 280

Personal circumstances of defendants

Errant police officer/Handling stolen goods/Offences while off-duty/Dire consequences of

conviction.............................................................................................................................................................. 281


(xxx)

POOW

POOW - Section 33 Cap. 245/DATC order not an available sentence/Accused aged 17 years to 24 years

must be sent to prison or detention centre ............................................................................................................. 286

Road Traffic

Careless driving/Disqualification/No aggravating features/Assault on police will attract

imprisonment......................................................................................................................................................... 294

First offender pleading guilty to reckless driving and sentenced to imprisonment for 6 weeks and

disqualification/Bail pending appeal/Magistracy bound by High Court/Sentence for reckless driving ................ 294

Driving while disqualified/Driving without third party insurance/Wrong to treat suspended prison sentence

as lenient and supplement it with another penalty/Disqualification under Road Traffic (Driving-offence

Points) Ordinance.................................................................................................................................................. 295

Driving with alcohol limit above prescribed level/Gravity of offence/When custodial sentence

required ................................................................................................................................................................. 296

Robbery

Armed robbery/Young offender/Training centre not appropriate/Youth not a bar to imprisonment..................... 288

Multiple lift robberies/Youthful offenders/Offences committed to fund drug addiction/DATC orders wrong

in principle ............................................................................................................................................................ 292

Multiple robberies/Effect of late pleas/Effect on mitigation of false testimony given for co-accused .................. 289

Multiple robberies/Possession of arms/Shots fired/Import of arms from China/Sentence after trial..................... 289

Robbery/Sole robber and elderly victim/Aggravating factors ............................................................................... 290

Attempted robbery and false imprisonment/Firearms carried/Discount of 20% after guilty pleas/Customary

discount for plea not a strait-jacket ....................................................................................................................... 291

Taxi robbery/Driver ill-treated by gang/Starting point of seven years proper....................................................... 293

Attempted robbery and unlawful remaining/No distinction between illegal immigrants from China and

Vietnam................................................................................................................................................................. 293

Robbery/Unlawful remaining/Impact of youth of accused upon sentencing/Accused sentenced on basis that

he was aged 24 when he was 16............................................................................................................................290

Sexual Offences

Indecent assault/Violent assault by police superintendent upon female subordinate/Aggravating and

mitigating factors................................................................................................................................................... 296


(xxxi)

Sexual Offence - Rape/Basic starting point after trial of 5 years affirmed/Absence of aggravating or

mitigating features................................................................................................................................................. 300

Indecent assault on schoolgirls/One victim wounded/Duty on sentencer to punish offender and to

deter/Drunkenness and lack of premeditation not mitigation ................................................................................ 298

Indecent assault/Father and daughter/15 months upheld after trial ....................................................................... 296

Indecent assault by paraplegic teacher on pupils/Effect of additional hardships suffered in detention/Need

for sentencer to redress grievances of victim, relatives and friends/Sentence for each offence to be

calculated to reflect gravity ................................................................................................................................... 297

Rape and non-consensual buggery/Sentence after trial/ Aggravating factors........................................................ 300

Indecent assault/Gross abuse of authority by police officer/Heavy deterrent sentence required........................... 298

Tax Evasion

Tax evasion/Sentencing considerations/Suspended sentence inappropriate.......................................................... 301

Theft/Handling/Deception

Handling stolen goods vehicle/Gravity of offence/Guilty plea not good reason to suspend sentence/Accused

caught red-handed faces reduced discount ............................................................................................................ 303

Dishonestly obtaining pecuniary advantages by false representations/Multiple offences/Massive breach of

trust/No restitution/Return to jurisdiction not prompted by remorse..................................................................... 302

Fraud/Scam mounted by foreign visitors/Status of Hong Kong as international commercial centre/Time in

custody in relation to another offence not relevant to sentence............................................................................. 308

Handling stolen cars for smuggling to China/Offence still very serious despite decrease in

prevalence ............................................................................................................................................................. 308

Theft/Foreign gang/Offence professional and planned/Starting point of 4 years appropriate/New sentencing

level for group pickpocketing of at least 2½ years ................................................................................................309

Organised shop theft/Starting point of 18 months after trial appropriate .............................................................. 304

Shop theft/Organised gang from abroad/Starting point of 18 months after trial ................................................... 306

Theft/Offence of pickpocketing considered/Effect of bad criminal record/Minimal discount for guilty

plea........................................................................................................................................................................ 306

Theft by pickpocketing/Occurrence of offence at racecourse not an aggravating factor/Effect of bad

criminal record/When court entitled to waive customary discount ....................................................................... 307

Pickpocketing sentences/Effect of prior convictions/Guilty pleas to be encouraged/Standard sentence for

breach of deportation order ................................................................................................................................... 305


(xxxii)

Town Planning

Town Planning Ordinance/Failure to comply with enforcement notice/Substantial fine appropriate for first

offender ................................................................................................................................................................. 310

Triad

Attending a triad society meeting/Twelve months imprisonment proper after guilty plea/Propriety of

consecutive sentence ............................................................................................................................................. 311

Youth

Sentence/Extreme youth/Simple calendar approach to age not satisfactory/Factors to be weighed in

determining whether extreme youth a mitigating factor in a serious robbery........................................................ 284

Youth offender/Sentencing options/Effect of appeal on detention centre order/Probation as a last

chance ................................................................................................................................................................... 282

Sexual Offences

Illicit kiss/Whether indecent assault or common assault ....................................................................................... 312

Indecent assault/Recent complaint/Evidence of distress not a legal requirement/Reasons for not

complaining at first opportunity/General complaint acceptable/Non-disclosure of previous statement of

defence witness ..................................................................................................................................................... 312

Admissibility of recent complaint/Complaint made after beating/Awareness of danger of convicting on

uncorroborated evidence to be indicated............................................................................................................... 313

Rape/When direction as to genuine but mistaken belief of consent required ........................................................ 314

Rape/Mistaken belief a defence if genuine/Direction on mistaken belief not necessary if acceptance by jury

of complainant_s version leaves no room for such belief...................................................................................... 314

Sexual case involving two complainants/Direction essential that the evidence of one complainant not

evidence against accused in relation to other complaint/Each count must be separately considered .................... 315

Gross indecency to child/Strict liability/Sexual gratification not an element of offence/Indecent assault

considered/‘ Gross indecency’ defined ................................................................................................................ 316

Cross-examination of complainant in incest case/Judge excluding relevant cross-examination/Refusal of

court to speculate on possible effect of cross-examination/Matters important to defence .................................... 317

STATEMENTS

Murder/Direction to jury upon joint enterprise/Whether confessions wrongly admitted into evidence ................ 318


(xxxiii)

Murder/Admissibility of confession/Unexplained injury to accused/Alleged police mistreatment/Whether

judge erred in law.................................................................................................................................................. 318

Verbal admission/Duty of magistrate to advise unrepresented accused of right to challenge

voluntariness ......................................................................................................................................................... 319

Inconsistent verdicts/Directing jury on mixed cautioned statement/“ Sharp” considered ..................................... 319

Cautioned statements/Basis for exclusion/Exercise of residual discretion ............................................................ 320

Cautioned statements/Challenge to admissibility/Materiality of date in particulars of offence/Conspiracy

hatched on date other than that particularised ....................................................................................................... 321

Interviewing young accused in absence of parent or guardian/Whether self-defence and provocation

directions required where offender uses knife for purpose contemplated ............................................................. 321

Thai defendant/Defendant spoke Thai in interview with police under caution/Statement interpreted into

Cantonese/ Interviewing police officer_s words interpreted from Cantonese to Thai ........................................... 322

Status of post-conviction admissions of guilt/Extent to which such admissions may be relied upon/Use of

such as basis for retrial .......................................................................................................................................... 323

Interview of young person/Status of witness/Extent of duty to call witness/Whether proof of existence of

triad society required............................................................................................................................................. 325

Judge excluding cautioned statements/Whether jury may be informed of adverse view formed of police

officers during voire dire.......................................................................................................................................326

Oral admission/Subsequent cautioned statement ruled inadmissible/Impact of inadmissibility upon oral

admission .............................................................................................................................................................. 327

Conspiracy/Charge lacking in particularity/Accused confessing to different conspiracies/Comparison of

confessions not permissible................................................................................................................................... 327

Whether proof required that witness same person as specified in certificate issued under s 63A

Cap_115/Magistrate not required to seek out breaches of 1992 Rules and Directions/Breaches raised for

first time on appeal................................................................................................................................................ 329

Defence not challenging statement/Not essential for court to indicate it has considered whether or not to

exclude an admissible statement on grounds of unfairness/Not necessary for prosecution to prove beyond

reasonable doubt that person allegedly working unlawfully is the person name in the s 17I(1) certificate/

R_v Ho Chun-wai not followed............................................................................................................................. 330

Oral admissions/Allegations of impropriety at time of alleged admission/Claims that statement not made

and that it was not free and voluntary not mutually exclusive/voire dire necessary .............................................. 331


(xxxiv)

Verbal admission/Extent of duty of court to enquire into voluntariness/Proviso not available when

confession wrongly admitted................................................................................................................................. 332

Defence not challenging cautioned statement in a voire dire/Absence of challenge does not constitute an

admission under s 65C Cap 227/Hearsay in cautioned statement ......................................................................... 333

Police officer ordered to produce incriminating evidence/Whether compliance tantamount to an

admission/Requirement of caution/Police officer entitled to same safeguard as civilian/Magistrate required

to consider admissibility in a voire dire ................................................................................................................334

STAY OF PROCEEDINGS

Application for permanent stay of proceedings/Delay of 10 years since charge/Abuse of process/Prejudice

arising from delay/Pre-trial publicity and poor health........................................................................................... 336

Breach of Rules and Directions on questioning/Common law, not s 78 of PACE, applicable/Exclusion of

cautioned statement on ground of unfairness seldom to occur .............................................................................. 341

Effect of striking similarity between evidence of one accused and cautioned statement of another

accused/Effect of s 26 POBO, Cap 201 ................................................................................................................ 342

Absent witness/Prosecution duty to take statement from witness/Doubt as to safeness of convictions................. 343

TELECOMMUNICATION

Cloning mobile radio telephones/Telecommunication Ordinance, Cap 106 ......................................................... 344

THEFT/HANDLING/DECEPTION

Making off without payment/Reduced sum paid/Absence of complaint/Improper use of Theft Ordinance by

ICAC..................................................................................................................................................................... 345

Handling stolen goods/Section 24(1) Cap 210/Retention and removal must be for the benefit of another

person.................................................................................................................................................................... 345

Handling stolen goods/Omission of words _for the benefit of another person_ from charge/Proviso not

applicable .............................................................................................................................................................. 346

Handling stolen goods/Guilty knowledge must exist when offence occurs/Whether accused guilty as

accessory before the fact ....................................................................................................................................... 347

Recent possession/Inference to be drawn/Conduct consistent with two types of illegality ................................... 347

Theft/Claim of right/Effect of s. 26(4) Cap. 210................................................................................................... 348


(xxxv)

TOWN PLANNING

Town Planning Ordinance/Section 23 and unauthorized development/Failure to identify alternatives

renders notice a nullity/Recipient of notice to be made aware of rights/Tai Tong rightly decided........................ 349

TRIAD

Attempted arson/Ingredients of offence/Mere recklessness not sufficient/Bald admission to MOTS................... 350

MOTS/Admission of being a member/‘ Bald admission’ not admissible/Extent of a _bald admission’...............351



S. 20(2) Cap 151/Meaning of attending a triad society meeting/Magistrate not required to detail how he

resolves every submission ..................................................................................................................................... 353

Acting as a member of a triad society/Elements of offence examined/High Court invoking s 119(1)(g)

Cap_227 ................................................................................................................................................................ 354

ULTRA VIRES

Amusement Game Centre Ordinance/Power to issue conditions/Effect of repeal of parts of Miscellaneous

Licences Ordinance............................................................................................................................................... 355

VERDICT

Inconsistency of verdicts/Convictions unsafe........................................................................................................ 356

Inconsistent verdicts/Directing jury on mixed cautioned statement/“ Sharp” considered ..................................... 357

VICE

Living on earnings of prostitution/Circumstances justifying a conclusion of guilt................................................ 358

Vice establishment/Requirement of whole or main user/Use of one room for prostitution insufficient ................ 359

Managing vice establishment/Offer of sexual services may be by conduct .......................................................... 359

Managing vice establishment/Proof of habitual user not necessary/Inference to be drawn from

circumstances ........................................................................................................................................................ 359

VOIR DIRE

Voire dire/Cross-examination of police officers upon evidence in earlier trials/Extent of duties of

prosecution............................................................................................................................................................ 360


(xxxvi)

Judge excluding cautioned statements/Whether jury may be informed of adverse view formed of police

officers during voire dire..............................................................................................................................................361

Exclusion of evidence/Extent of duty to search for breach of _Rules and Directions_/Reliance upon

demeanour............................................................................................................................................................. 361

Status of 1992 Rules/Failure to allow access to lawyer/Officer not recording verbatim statement/Repeat

caution not necessary/Absence of rest or refreshment over long period of questioning........................................ 362

Police officer ordered to produce incriminating evidence/Whether compliance tantamount to an

admission/Requirement of caution/Police officer entitled to same safeguard as civilian/Magistrate required

to consider admissibility in a voire dire......................................................................................................................362

VULNERABLE WITNESS

Use of CCTV/Witness in fear/Procedure to be followed/ Objectives of legislation/Questions a court should

ask itself ................................................................................................................................................................ 364

Child sex victim/Use of CCTV link/Reports not required before court makes order/Order may be made

upon basic information.......................................................................................................................................... 366

Child victim giving video recorded interview/Relevance of English guidelines/Weight to be placed on

child_s evidence a matter for court ....................................................................................................................... 367

Unsworn testimony of child/Whether 1995 amendments to ss 3 and 4 Cap 8 contrary to ICCPR/Status of

child evidence examined/Admissibility of video recording of interview with child complainant ......................... 368

WITNESS

Labour Department prosecution/Not appropriate to call departmental officer as expert witness.......................... 371

Prosecution witnesses/Extent of duty to call witness/Witness on back of indictment to be called unless not

worthy of belief ..................................................................................................................................................... 371

Criminal law and practice/Expert evidence/Admissibility and weight where expert may have interest in

result...................................................................................................................................................................... 372

S 21(4) Cap 227/Refusal to answer questions without just excuse/Procedures to be followed/No conflict

with BORO/Safeguards for contemnor/Standard of proof/Just excuse ................................................................. 374



Absent witness/Prosecution duty to take statement from witness/Doubt as to safeness of convictions................. 377

ccab 96/97 words and phrases

(xxxvii)

Words and Phrases

Page No

A

absence of caution--------------------------- 63 absent co-accused --------------------------- 70 absolute liability ----------------------------- 78 action or forbearance ----------------------- 26 adequacy of reason-------------------------135 admissibility and weight -------------------- 71 alternative verdict --------------------------- 84 amendment ----------------------------------- 34 any person (s. 13 (1)(b) Cap. 201)--------- 27 appeal out of time---------------------------146 assistance to authorities -------------------151 attempt to export----------------------------- 32 attending triad society meeting -----------123

B

bald admission ------------------------------- 11 benefit of drug trafficking -----------------240 billiard hall ----------------------------------117 breach of peace -----------------------------159 breath sample -------------------------------161

C

cannabis -------------------------------------237 case to answer ------------------------------- 30 caught red-handed--------------------------175 child evidence -------------------------------- 22 comment by prosecutor --------------------- 86 concerned in the arrangement ------------- 59 continuous offences-------------------------106 counsel's misconduct ------------------------ 49 credit card fraud----------------------------255 creditability----------------------------------- 36

Page No

D

decision (appeal to HKCFA) ------------- 111 statutory declaration----------------------- 133 diminished responsibility--------------------81 dock identification ---------------------------92 double intention (s. 73, Cap. 200)----------74 drugs valuation-------------------------------66 due diligence----------------------------------32 duplicity ---------------------------------------59

E

effect of delay (on sentence) -------------- 148 emotive language--------------------------- 103 entering arena ------------------------------ 102 entrapment ---------------------------------- 190 extreme youth------------------------------- 268

F

fingerprint as corroboration----------------90 flagrantly incompetent-----------------------51 forklift --------------------------------------- 160 fresh evidence --------------------------------39 funtus officio -------------------------------- 150

G

good character -------------------------------34

H

harken to the evidence--------------------- 102 health ---------------------------------------- 143 honest belief ----------------------------------78 hospital order------------------------------- 190

ccab 96/97 words and phrases

(xxxviii)

Page No

I

identification by photograph --------------- 92 inn/hotel--------------------------------------116 intelligible testimony ------------------------ 23 interlocutory order -------------------------147

L

land (immigration cases) ------------------- 94 landing unlawfully--------------------------- 97 liability of contractor ----------------------- 74 lurking doubt -----------------------------------8

M

material averment --------------------------- 38 material irregularities ---------------------- 57 MDMA (Ectasy)-----------------------------236 mental infirmity ------------------------------ 81 midazolam -----------------------------------242 miscarriage of justice ----------------------- 69 mischief rule---------------------------------108 mitigation ------------------------------------129

N

non-service ----------------------------------163 nullity (conviction) -------------------------147 nullity (plea)---------------------------------138

O

object of conspiracy ------------------------- 64 offer to traffic -------------------------------- 58 OSCO ----------------------------170, 177, 179

P

perceived justice ----------------------------132 perverse (verdict) ---------------------------- 84

petition to governor ------------------------137

Page No

pirated 'CD' --------------------------------- 228 point of law -----------------------------------89 pre trial publicity--------------------------- 139 publication ---------------------------------- 134

R

reason for verdict ----------------------------91 refusal of adjournment -------------------- 155 religious mortification-----------------------13 res gestae--------------------------------------70 res ipsa loquitur ---------------------------- 124 residual discretion ---------------------------20 restitution ----------------------------------- 180 retrial ---------------------------------------- 144 reverse plea --------------------------------- 136 reversing onus ------------------------------ 136

S

s. 83V CPO---------------------------------- 137 sleeping juror------------------------------- 106 striking similarity ----------------------------25 substantial and grave injustice -------------89 sudden loss of self control ------------------83 supergrass----------------------------- 182, 183 supervisor/contractor (labour cases)------74 surveillance evidence------------------------90

T

to defraud -------------------------------------42 trade description -----------------------------32

U

ultra vires (order) -------------------------- 149 unmanifested cargo --------------------------30 unrepresented accused -------------------- 124 unsworn testimony ---------------------------22

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Classified Criminal Appeals Bulletin 1996-97 · PDF fileClassified Criminal Appeals Bulletin 1996-97 ... in a case digest which do not relate to that subject. ... Tax Evasion