Immigrant can appeal

A MAN jailed for three years for bringing illegal immigrants into Hongkong was told to take his case to the Court of Appeal.

Mr Justice Mortimer in the High Court refused leave for the issuance of a writ of habeas corpus for Tse Sun-miu, 49. An illegal immigrant, Tse was jailed last year for being a crew member aboard a fishing vessel smuggling 14 unauthorised entrants into Hongkong.

The judge had been asked to decide whether the High Court had jurisdiction in the case. Mr Grenville Cross QC argued that taking the case to the Court of Appeal was the proper procedure.

Tse was seeking a writ of habeas corpus and a judicial review against his prosecution.