Former champion horse trainer Brian Kan Ping-chee was jailed for more than three months yesterday for offering HK$130,000 to a village representative for his vote in a recent rural election.
But Kan, 74, was granted bail at Fanling Court to launch an appeal. He had been in custody since his conviction last month.
Kan was convicted after trial of one count of engaging in corrupt conduct at an election. He had pleaded not guilty.
Magistrate Eric Cheung Kwan-king sentenced him to three months and two weeks yesterday.
He said elections were an 'important foundation of social development', adding: 'It is the duty of the court to ensure they are clean, fair and have the confidence of the public.'
A Sheung Shui district village representative, Kan was a candidate for the Sheung Shui District Rural Committee executive committee.
The election was held on March 15 this year. Kan received 16 votes, losing to another candidate, Bowie Hau Chi-keung, who received 44.