A Queen Mary Hospital foreman has been convicted of taking bribes after accepting wine and cigarettes from subordinates who bought them duty-free on the mainland. Chu Wing-keung, 56, pleaded guilty to five charges of accepting an advantage while a public servant. He also admitted stealing two bottles of medicine from the hospital. Eastern Court heard that Chu had accepted 36 packets of Marlboro Lights cigarettes and a bottle of red wine over the past four years from Wong Lin-ho, Yu Kam-man, Lo Tat-ping and Liu Oi-yuk on the understanding that they receive favours in return, such as favourable treatment for their leave applications. Chu was responsible for arranging staff duties, rosters and approving leave applications in the hospital's supporting services section. In mitigation, Chu's lawyer said he did not ask for the gifts and did not grant any favours.
