Mainland theft gives fugitive robber a ticket home to Hong Kong

A penniless Hong Kong criminal on the run for 16 years on the mainland stole a road sign in Fujian so that he would be arrested and sent back home to see his family, a court heard yesterday.

Ngan Lin-fee, 49, had been drifting on the mainland since he escaped police custody the day after he and an accomplice were arrested for raiding two flats in Kung On Mansion, North Point, in May 1990.

Deputy High Court Judge Judianna Barnes Wai-ling yesterday sentenced the father of three sons to seven years' imprisonment after Ngan pleaded guilty to one count of burglary and one of robbery.

The court heard that in October last year, Ngan approached public security officers in Fujian and confessed to them that he was wanted in Hong Kong. The officers ignored him and told him he had to pay 260 yuan for 'an identity document' if he wanted to return to Hong Kong.

Since he had no money, Ngan went away, stole a road sign and surrendered himself a second time. He was not charged for any crime but was handed over to Hong Kong police on November 3 last year.

In mitigation,defence barrister Liza Yip said Ngan was desperate to return to Hong Kong to re-establish contact with his family.

Ms Yip said Ngan had lost contact with his family after they moved home some years ago. In October he learned through a relative in Fujian where his family had moved. This triggered his desperation to return home. She said Ngan had committed the offences in 1990 for money to pay for his elder son's medical expenses.