A 'brainless' bank robber was sent back to jail for 15 years yesterday after robbing or trying to rob seven banks by claiming he had a bomb.
Defence barrister Paul Cheng described his client, Lau Oi-ming, 35, as 'stupid and brainless', saying he simply did not realise he was bound to be caught.
The Court of First Instance heard Lau had already spent 10 years behind bars after being convicted in January 1991 in the High Court of two robberies, two attempted robberies, possession of an imitation firearm and theft.
Lau worked as a barman for a year after his release in July 2000 but turned to crime when he was sacked, the court heard.
Sentencing him to 15 years' jail, Deputy Judge Esther Toh Lye-ping said a deterrent sentence was called for because Lau failed to learn his lesson.
Lau had pleaded guilty to five robberies and two attempted robberies, which took place between July 7 and October 12 last year.