AN illegal immigrant who sneaked into the territory in the hope of seeing his father robbed a taxi driver because of hunger, a court heard.
Chiu Siu-hoi, 22, pleaded guilty in the District Court to robbery and unlawfully remaining in Hongkong. He was jailed for three years and five months yesterday.
His solicitor, Chung Chi-wing, said Chiu came to Hongkong hoping to visit his father, whom he had not seen for more than 10 years.
But his father refused to see Chiu, who had cheated him of money on a previous occasion.
Mr Chung said Chiu had lost his wallet at the border, and committed robbery out of hunger.
Chiu admitted robbing taxi driver Pui Yuk-leung of $500 and personal belongings at Pat Heung, Yuen Long, on March 27, a day after he sneaked into Hongkong from China.