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SCMP Reporter

A clerk who claimed she  was addicted to shopping has admitted  taking more than HK$6 million from a design company she worked for and spending it on jewellery and clothing.
A prosecutor  told the District Court yesterday that Alice Chow Lai-sze,  32, sent the money to the bank account of her elder brother, Chow Chi-kong,  then withdrew it to spend.
The items the Chows bought included seven luxury watches, more than 40 designer bags, 40 pieces of jewellery and accessories, 160  T-shirts,  79 pairs of  trousers, 73 pairs of shoes, 59 coats, 43 dresses, 24 hats, 48 toys, a TV and a DVD recorder.
They also bought a car and a HK$194,000  flat in Fu Shin  public housing estate in Tai Po.
Alice Chow pleaded guilty to 30 counts of theft and a joint count of conspiracy to deal with property known or believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence. Her brother, 36, also admitted the conspiracy charge. Sentencing was adjourned to March 9.
Alice Chow, who had worked at Shinsei Printing  since 1991, was responsible for paying clients.
The offences  were committed  between November 2006  and June last year.
The case came to light when a client complained to the company that  an outstanding payment had not been received, the court heard.
Alice Chow confessed the embezzlement to the company in a written letter. She said she was willing to make full restitution over 26 years. The company reported the case to police.
Alice Chow's barrister, Linda Wong Shui-hung,  said  she began suffering from a shopping disorder after her boyfriend, whom she dated for more than five years, died in 2006.



'Shopping addict' stole HK$6m