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SCMP Reporter

The former chief editor of  East Week magazine yesterday admitted in Eastern Court  running a semi-nude picture of a kidnapped actress six years ago.
Mong Hon-ming,  52, who  now works in Beijing, pleaded guilty to publishing an obscene article. The photo of Carina Lau Ka-ling  appeared on the cover of East Week on October 30, 2002.   Principal magistrate Garry Tallentire  adjourned his sentencing to December 17.
The publication  sparked a public outcry, including a protest by celebrities against East Week and a number of other magazines that reprinted the image.
The abduction was said to be a punishment for Lau's refusal to take part in a film funded by triads.
Three days after publication of the picture, the magazine ceased publication and apologies were  published in five newspapers.
In mitigation,  Mong's representing senior counsel Wong Ching-yu,   said  the editor was not in Hong Kong when that issue was being published.
He said his client was normally responsible for the general news booklet, one of  two booklets published every issue. The other booklet covers entertainment news.
However, he was  culpable under the law.
Mr Wong also   said the aggravating factors as stated in the three cases submitted by the prosecution for sentencing reference did not apply in this case.  The aggravating factors included the worldwide circulation of the photograph on the internet and the probability of the  offence being repeated.
Mitigation letters, including those by Mong's present employer and a Legco  member, in which they attested to Mong's responsible character, were also submitted to the court.
Mr Wong asked the magistrate for  leniency in sentencing on account of  his guilty plea and the unlikelihood of him reoffending.
In October, the former publisher of East Week, New Media group,  was  fined HK$100,000  after a review hearing on the same charge.



Editor admits publishing obscene photo of kidnapped actress