An immigration adviser was acquitted yesterday of conspiracy to forge documents after a star witness in a $17 million British passport scam admitted giving false information on the witness stand.
After a 30-minute break in proceedings at Eastern Court, prosecutor Jackson Poon offered no further evidence against Tony Man Fong-hang, 54. Earlier, Mr Poon had said he would call 10 more witnesses.
Magistrate John Brennan indicated he would not accept former British consultant Paul Samrai's testimony, saying 'he had lied in court'.
Mr Man wept as he walked from court. He did not apply for costs and refused to comment after his acquittal.
Gary Plowman QC, defending, had tried on Monday to obtain a halt to the proceedings due to the absence of 'highly relevant' material relating to Mr Samrai's credibility.
The information included statements by Mr Samrai to the British police on an unrelated case. British authorities had refused to release the statements on the basis of 'public interest of immunity'.