Long terms deserved in chloroform killing case

TWO killers showed a 'callous' disregard for a college student who died from chloroform poisoning, the Court of Appeal said yesterday.

Explaining its decision this month to increase the penalties for manslaughter imposed on businessman Hon Leung-fong, 33, and his mistress Phoebe Wong Yim-ping, 28, the court made it clear it regarded their actions as premeditated and ruthlessly executed.

Elaine Luk Yee-ling, 21, died from chloroform poisoning after becoming involved in a scheme to gratify Hon's sexual desire, the Appeal Court had observed in allowing the Crown's application for a review of the sentences.

The court - comprising Chief Justice Sir Ti Liang Yang, Vice-President Mr Justice Macdougall and Mr Justice Patrick Chan - on November 9 increased Hon's sentence from 81/2 years to 15 years, and Wong's from seven to 12 years. But details of the ruling were only handed down yesterday.

Hon and Wong had pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Luk, a Baptist College computer student who worked in Hon's property company during college holidays.

It was the Crown's case that on July 24 last year, under the pretext of celebrating Wong's birthday, she lured Luk to the Royal Park Hotel in Sha Tin. In a hotel room, Wong plied her with spirits until she was drunk.

She then poured a bottle of chloroform on a towel and put it over Luk's face. When this failed to make Luk lose consciousness completely, Hon drove to Tuen Mun for a second bottle and it was administered in the same way.