Would-be robber recruited in China
AN illegal immigrant who was brought to Hongkong to commit an armed robbery was jailed for eight years, while the organiser of the crime received a nine-year jail term in the High Court.
Mr Justice Woo, in sentencing them, said firearms were too prevalent in Hongkong and possession had to be severely punished.
Illegal immigrant Lung Po-foon, 29, transport worker Chow Kam-shing, 27, and hairdresser Lee Wai-tong, 18, were convicted after trial by a High Court jury a fortnight ago.
They were found guilty of conspiracy to rob, possession of arms and ammunition without a licence and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.
Lee was yesterday given a detention centre order.
The court heard that on February 13 last year, police saw Lung and Lee in Kowloon City. They were stopped and questioned and Lung admitted he was an illegal immigrant.
A semi-automatic pistol was found in Lung's sock and he had Chow's identity card. Lee had a knife.
Lung stated that he was recruited in Guangzhou to commit a robbery in the territory and had been given money to buy the gun.
