Traffic warden's 'bribe offer'
A traffic warden offered to pay half an alleged jaywalker's fine if she would plead guilty so he could be on time for a medical appointment, a court heard yesterday.
Saleswoman Woo Ka-wai, 20, said Jacky Luk Kwok-wai, 35, approached her in the lobby of San Po Kong Court on August 31.
The pair had been waiting for two hours for the start of Woo's hearing over an alleged jaywalking offence in To Kwa Wan.
'He [Luk] told me he was in a hurry and I would only be fined $500 or less as it was my first time. If I was willing to plead guilty, he could help me to shoulder half of the penalty,' Ms Woo said yesterday.
Luk also reminded her not to tell others about his suggestion, saying it would land them both in trouble, the court heard.
After denying the traffic charge and telling the judge about Luk's alleged offer, Ms Woo was acquitted.
Yesterday Luk, who denies perverting the course of justice, told San Po Kong Court he had sought permission from his superior to attend the medical treatment at the end of the proceedings.
He admitted that if Ms Woo's matter had failed to finish by noon, he would have missed his appointment at Queen Elizabeth Hospital for treatment to his back.
However, Luk denied inducing Ms Woo to plead guilty to jaywalking.
Magistrate Poon Siu-tung is due to deliver the verdict in Kowloon City Court on July 9.
