A senior police officer and two businessmen jailed for running a multimillion dollar illegal bookmaking business were cleared by the Court of Appeal yesterday.
Three judges unanimously ruled there was insufficient evidence to show senior superintendent Chu Kam-yiu, 53, and businessmen Addy Chow Chi-wang, 49, and Hon Pui-tak, 61, were engaging in bookmaking activities. They were acquitted of conspiracy to engage in bookmaking.
Mr Hon, who was convicted of another charge of being the owner of a premises he knowingly allowed to be used for gambling, also had the conviction quashed.
Chief Judge Arthur Leong Shiu-chung, Mr Justice Peter Cheung Chak-yau and Mr Justice Wally Yeung Chun-kuen also quashed their 15-month sentences.
The District Court had heard Chu and Chow were seen throwing betting slips from the balcony of Hon's home at Ho Man Tin on June 21 last year when Independent Commission Against Corruption officers raided the flat while a horse race was under way. Betting slips and mini-discs containing telephone conversations between the accused and punters were found, the court was told.
A gambling expert had given evidence that the betting slips were likely to be records of bookmakers. But the defendants had maintained they earned racing tips for placing bets with bookmakers for friends.