But judge dismisses 'far-fetched' claim services were a friend's gift, not corruption The former head of the Narcotics Bureau yesterday failed to have his conviction for accepting free sex from prostitutes overturned. But the Court of Appeal bench shaved one year off the three-year sentence of former senior superintendent Sin Kam-wah, 46, after they found it was too high. Chief Judge of the High Court, Mr Justice Geoffrey Ma Tao-li, said District Court Judge John Saunders was right to take into account Sin's high ranking when sentencing him. 'The element of corruption in the offences, when seen together with high rank, dictated that a substantial custodial sentence was appropriate,'' he said. Mr Justice Ma said the court heard of Sin's 'impeccable service record'' which included three Commanding Officers' commendations. 'That said, although the actual value of the advantages accepted by Sin is not by any means decisive in sentencing for offences of this nature, involving as they do a corruption element, it is of some relevance,'' he said. 'In our view the sentences passed ... was too high.'' Sin and businesswoman Lam Chuen-ip, who provided the prostitutes, had tried to get their convictions overturned by arguing that Sin broke no law by accepting 'entertainment'' from Lam, who was a friend. Sin was convicted by Judge Saunders in November of three charges of misconduct in public office and jailed for three years. Lam was convicted of three charges of exercising control over other women to engage in prostitution and three of offering an advantage to a government servant. Representing the pair, Neville Sarony SC, said the provision of the women was 'innocent and harmless behaviour'' that had been 'invested with the colour of corruption''. He added that as a serving police officer, Sin had restrictions on what could occur during his private time and that he was being persecuted for accepting hospitality from Lam - the wife of a police officer. Mr Justice Ma, Mr Justice Michael Stuart-Moore and Mr Justice Michael Lunn rejected the appeal. 'There is no doubt that these favours were provided to and accepted by him in relation to his office,'' Mr Justice Ma said. 'Mr Sarony submitted that all [Sin] really did was to accept hospitality from a friend. Even if they were friends, the provision of sexual favours is hardly the normal form of hospitality between friends, even close ones. The whole idea was far-fetched.'' Mr Justice Ma said a 'person like Sin'' remained a police officer irrespective of being on or off duty. 'There are certain activities which a public official must not do even when off duty,'' he said.