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An illegal immigrant who broke into a luxury home belonging to a member of the eminent Hotung family not only lost his bout with a domestic helper and a  security guard - he also lost his freedom for the next 51/2 years.

Mainlander Yim Ching, 30, was armed with a cigarette lighter in the shape of a pistol when he broke into the home of Kevin Ho Yau-kwong  and his family on November 22, while the family was overseas.

A Filipino domestic worker with the family returned from shopping, found a window ajar and went upstairs, where he discovered  Yim in the main bedroom. The accused then pulled out the pistol-shaped lighter and the Filipino fled, with Yim in pursuit, the Court of First Instance heard.

But the worker then  turned on Yim, wrestled the lighter from his grasp, and went to raise the alarm.

Returning, he and a Gurkha security guard found Yim in another room with a knife taken from the kitchen. Yim was  subdued and the knife taken from him.

Yim pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated burglary and one of possession of a false Hong Kong identity card.

Sentencing Yim, Deputy Judge Alan Wright  praised the employees for 'displaying considerable fortitude' in confronting Yim.

The judge said it was important to note Yim had rearmed himself after losing his fake gun.

Deputy Judge Wright said it was the second time Yim had come into Hong Kong unlawfully and committed a crime. He was already serving 18 months for overstaying.

He jailed Yim for four years for aggravated burglary and six months for possession of the false identity card. The judge ordered the sentences served concurrently, but consecutive to the term imposed for the immigration offence.



Domestic helper's quick action helps put II burglar in jail