Mainland Chinese businessman who escaped from Hong Kong police via hospital toilet ceiling jailed for 18 months
- Leon Li, 34, was arrested last November after being on the run since 2015 for another offence
- Magistrate says seriousness of offences outweighed his sympathy for Li’s sick child
A mainland Chinese businessman who triggered a 36-hour manhunt in Hong Kong after escaping police custody through a hospital toilet ceiling was on Friday jailed for 18 months, as the magistrate accused him of repeatedly undermining the city’s judicial system.
Leon Li Lihua, 34, was arrested last November for absconding from a trial for presenting a fake Hong Kong ID card at the US consulate in 2015, Eastern Court heard. He complained of feeling unwell and was taken to hospital, where he escaped during a toilet break.
He pleaded guilty before magistrate Lee Siu-ho last month to four charges including using a forged identity card, failing to surrender to custody as shall have been appointed, escaping from lawful custody and resisting a police officer.
On Friday, Li’s barrister, Fu Chong-sang, urged the magistrate to exercise mercy and discretion in sentencing, taking into account that Li had been detained for 108 days in total and that he had to take care of his sick son.
Fu said Li had stupidly believed agents who claimed they could help him apply for a Hong Kong ID card via legal channels.