A CLERK who stole $30,000 from his boss to run away with his Thai girlfriend was yesterday sentenced to 180 hours' community service. Lok Chok-kek, 24, pleaded guilty at Eastern Court to theft and two charges of forgery on November 24 last year. The court heard that Lok met the woman in Macau. He took her home to meet his family but there was an argument and he decided to run away with her to Thailand. He forged two cheques totalling $30,000 to pay for the trip. Defence lawyer Andy Lam said Lok had sought only to withdraw the money he had in a company provident fund. He forged the cheques because his boss was not in Hongkong to authorise withdrawal. Lok visited Thailand, Malaysia and China before returning to Hongkong and giving himself up to police. Magistrate Michael Hill said Lok's employer gave a good report.
