Stiff sentence demanded for market thief

A VEGETABLE thief could end up facing the sort of stiff sentence a judge is normally able to hand out for organised crime.

Under a new law, prosecutor Dennis Chan yesterday asked District Court Judge Hawkes to sentence the thief under the Organised and Serious Crimes Ordinance.

But defence lawyer Dickson Tang argued that the ordinance should be used only for more severe crimes.

Tang Ka-wai, 17, was recruited by a five-man gang to steal from Cheung Sha Wan wholesale market in Lai Chi Kok in March and April.

The men, aged between 16 and 23, worked to fill orders for four unsuspecting noodle shops in Sha Tin and Jordan.

The cheeky thieves even sorted and packaged vegetables outside the market.