HK$100 lands woman in custody

A woman who admitted putting a HK$100 note in a letter to a Housing Department officer in the hope of getting a newer public housing flat has been remanded in custody.

Lui Sau-kam, 51, a worker at a home for the elderly, pleaded guilty in Kowloon Court to offering an advantage to a public servant.

The mainland migrant said she had sent the note because she thought it was okay to give money in Hong Kong to show her appreciation.

The court heard that around May 8 last year, Lui sent a letter with a HK$100 note to an assistant clerical officer who had been handling her public housing application. The letter was sent 10 days after Lui learnt she had been allocated a public housing flat on the fourth floor of a block in Choi Hung Estate.

The case came to light when a colleague in the department opened the letter and found the HK$100 note, and reported it to his superior.

Lui said in the note that she would prefer a newer flat on a higher floor. She also thanked the officer for helping her and said the money was for fruit. Three days later Lui turned down the flat, saying it was too old and too low.

Magistrate Ronald Cheung Wai-tat adjourned sentencing to April 12. Lui was remanded in custody, pending background report.