Student spared more jail time over burglary
A former City University student recruited to act as a lookout for a failed burglary was sentenced to 18 months' jail yesterday, but allowed to go free because of time already served.
Leung Yiu-ho, 26, had pleaded guilty in the Court of First Instance to one count of burglary, as did co- defendant Chan Chi-wai, 28, who was sentenced to two years' jail.
Chan offered Mr Leung HK$1,000 to help act as a lookout for a group of mainlanders who wanted to rob a waste collection company in Pak Heung, in the New Territories, on January 27 last year.
One of the company's staff members was attacked with a wooden pole and tied up with tape during the burglary.
The court heard that Mr Leung was caught by the owner of the company, who went to the office shortly after the mainlanders had fled, when the former student attempted to drive away. He was arrested at the scene of the crime.
Mr Justice Louis Tong Po-sun gave Mr Leung a shorter sentence than his co-defendant as he had given evidence against Chan.
In sentencing, the judge noted Mr Leung was a delivery worker before enrolling at City University. The court heard that Mr Leung had planned to spend the HK$1,000 on textbooks.
The judge said: 'Leung's hard work in turning himself into a university student is appreciated.
'However, he has not treasured the opportunity to have a good future, and took part in this illegal activity.
'If he was in need of the money, he could have worked as a part-time tutor,' said the judge, adding that he accepted Mr Leung had shown genuine remorse for his misdeed.
He also noted that it was a good thing for Mr Leung to have testified against his co-defendant because Chan could have potentially engaged in other, more serious crimes.
