A DEVOUT Christian who earned only $10,000 a month but had given his church $57,000 over the past five years was given a suspended sentence yesterday after admitting cheating his employer.
Judge Hawkes said he was lenient because neither 'the commercial reputation of Hong Kong nor the general public was harmed' by Lee Chi-ming's actions.
Lee, 32, took advantage of his knowledge of a discount system at the stationery shop where he worked and between September 23, 1993, and January 10, 1994, was able to amass $29,666, the District Court heard.
He would gain a 10 per cent discount but pass only a six per cent discount to customers. He took the difference after giving nearly $6,000 to other clerks.
Judge Hawkes said he was swayed because Lee had paid back all the money and he had letters from church leaders praising Lee.
He gave Lee, who pleaded guilty to false accounting, a 12-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, and a $1,000 fine.
