Ex-aviation worker gets 80 hours of community service for ‘prank’ on son of former Hong Kong leader CY Leung
- Magistrate rejects defence’s request to place accused on probation saying it was not enough to reflect the gravity of the crime
- Second accused expected to enter a plea on August 24 on charges of obtaining access to a computer with dishonest intent and perverting the course of public justice
A former aviation worker has been sentenced to 80 hours of community service for playing a “prank” on the family of former Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying by tampering with flight reservation records that his son placed more than two years ago.
Lai Siu-wang, 24, returned to Eastern Court on Wednesday having previously admitted making unauthorised changes to Leung Chuen-yan’s booking with HK Express in December 2019.
Magistrate Edward Wong Ching-yu rejected the defence’s request to place Lai on probation, but found the case could be suitably disposed of by way of a community service order in lieu of imprisonment.
Now working part-time at a convenience store, Lai had been employed by an agency providing ground-handling services to the budget carrier prior to the offence.
He pleaded guilty last month to a count of criminal damage, an offence that covers the unlawful alteration of digital data.
The court heard in the previous session that the records tampered with included alteration to the personal particulars of the younger Leung, and additional orders for services that would have cost the passenger an extra HK$3,375 (US$430).
Leung, 33, had purchased round-trip tickets totalling HK$49,270 looking to spend Christmas in Japan with his family.
A deputy general manager of the airline noticed on December 25 that Leung had outstanding fees arising from abnormal changes made to his reservation the previous day, including the purchase of 24 inflight meals and five extra baggage spaces for his return flight.