A MAINLANDER who tried to smuggle 72 illegal immigrants from China to Hong Kong in a leaky boat was yesterday sentenced in the High Court to eight years' jail.
Passing sentence on farmer Chan Hiu-hung, 34, Deputy Judge Jones held that the complete unseaworthiness of the vessel was on aggravating factor in Chan's trial, as risked so many lives.
He noted that the vessel's timber was in such bad condition the boat leaked, and the vessel had no life jackets, no fire extinguishers and no observation lights.
Deputy Judge Jones said it was only through good fortune that the boat managed to reach Hong Kong. He said a heavy sentence needed to be imposed to discourage Chan and others from committing the same offence.
Chan had denied a charge of being a crew member on board a vessel transporting illegal immigrants, claiming that he was one of the illegal immigrants and not the one steering the boat as alleged.
During the trial, the court heard evidence called by prosecuting counsel William Lam that the wooden boat was intercepted just off the Ninepin group of islands by Marine Police on March 14, last year. A total of 72 illegal immigrants were on board. On examination, bilge water was found in the aft hold and the engine room, while the pump was not in working order.
