A JAILED tour operator has been freed after the Court of Appeal heard how Judge Chua Fi-lan interrupted the defence at his original trial 566 times.
It was the third time this year convictions under the District Court judge had been quashed on appeal.
The Court of Appeal heard Judge Chua repeatedly interrupted the defence of Kan Hing-chau during the original three-day trial last November. It ruled on Friday the interruptions compromised her appearance as an impartial judge.
In the Court of Appeal, Mr Justice Michael Stuart-Moore said he did not believe Judge Chua was prejudiced but justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done. Mr Kan's barrister, Kevin Egan, said yesterday: 'The Court of Appeal said everything there was to be said about the case.' Mr Kan, 44, was jailed for 15 months and fined $99,296.50 for accepting bribes of the same amount.
The former assistant general manager of China Travel Services was found guilty of receiving kickbacks from a jewellery shop by taking tourists there. He had served seven months in prison.
In March, the Court of Appeal quashed a drug-trafficking conviction because Judge Chua made 'personal and uncalled-for' remarks against the defence lawyer.