‘Never have I seen a man fallen from so high,’ judge says as he sentences Donald Tsang to 20 months’ jail for misconduct
Former chief executive’s wife expresses disappointment at ruling, vows to lodge appeal
Hong Kong’s former leader Donald Tsang Yam-kuen became the city’s highest-ranked official to be put behind bars after he was sentenced on Wednesday to 20 months in prison for misconduct.
“Never in my judicial career have I seen a man fallen from so high,” presiding judge Mr Justice Andrew Chan Hing-wai said, as Tsang stood in the dock.
The city’s former chief executive closed his eyes as he heard his fate, while his family members in the public gallery appeared to be fighting back tears. His wife of almost 50 years, Selina Tsang Pou Siu-mei, cried after hearing her husband would be imprisoned.
Watch: Reporters crowd around prison van as Donald Tsang is taken from court
The judge cut Tsang’s sentence to 20 months from an original 30, giving him credit for a life dedicated to public service, reinforced by a range of letters that “all speak with one voice to his commitment to servicing the people of Hong Kong”.
“In the present case, the seriousness lies in the position the defendant occupied: the office of the chief executive,” he said.