Update | Henry Tang lashes out, 'very simple' illegal basement case was made 'complicated'

The case against the wife of failed chief executive contender Henry Tang Ying-yen over a lavish illegal basement at their home was adjourned to next year amid a dispute with prosecutors over allegations made in court yesterday.

Outside court, a frustrated Tang questioned how a "very simple" case had become so complicated, given that his wife, Lisa Kuo Yu-chin, had already admitted an offence, and why so much taxpayers' money had been spent on it. "We have been open and frank. We have co-operated with the investigation. We are prepared to take responsibility for our actions."

He said Kuo had strong reservations about disputed parts of the case because they were not true. Kuo pleaded guilty to one of two charges over illegal building works and was expected to be sentenced yesterday after prosecutors offered no evidence on the second.

But Kowloon City Court Magistrate Ko Wai-hung adjourned the case to February 7 after Kuo disputed a prosecution allegation that she had insisted on pressing ahead with construction despite being warned against it by a structural engineer whom she later sacked.

The two camps will decide then whether a special hearing is needed to argue the disputed allegations. The adjournment will delay sentencing until a separate trial of three others who have pleaded not guilty to charges over their roles in building the basement has ended. A legal expert welcomed the move, saying Kuo's sentence should take account of all facts to be stated at the trial.

Magistrate Clement Lee Hing-nin passed the case to Ko because Lee is to try the other three defendants - architect Henry Ho Chung-yi, structural engineer Wong Pak-lam and contractor Hien Lee Engineering - in a hearing due to start on November 27.