Man jailed for Rush Hour hustle

A self-employed car parking attendant was yesterday jailed for demanding compensation from the producers of the Jackie Chan movie Rush Hour 2 after they filmed scenes in the street where he worked.

Lee King-man, 31, was jailed for 10 months for theft after he sought $18,000 for three days' lost business in March when the movie was being filmed on Jaffe Road near Marsh Road in Causeway Bay. He had pleaded guilty.

Lee's lawyer, Cheng Huan, SC, told the District Court it was customary for film crew to compensate neighbouring shops and restaurants for losses incurred due to road closures during filming.

'The defendant's business, which he has been providing for 10 years on that particular street, was severely affected,' he said.

Although the area was a public parking zone, Lee made up to $40,000 a month by parking drivers' cars for them at meters.

'He heard about compensation and contacted [the producer] to request some without any suggestion of triad or threatening language,' Mr Cheng said.