Mastermind behind HK$6.57 million robbery in Hong Kong found dead in jail cell hours before sentencing
- Stanley Prison guard finds Mehmood Arshad, 41, hanging from bed sheet tied to window grille bars of cell hours before he was due in High Court
- Arshad was found guilty of holding up Hung Hom jewellery store with three others and slashing employee in 2018
The mastermind behind a HK$6.57 million robbery and who slashed a jewellery store worker during the crime in Hong Kong killed himself just hours before he was to be sentenced on Monday.
Mehmood Arshad, 41, was due to appear at the High Court at 10am for sentencing, but a guard at Stanley Prison where he was being held found him dead in his cell at 5.06am.
Without naming him, the Correctional Services Department said an inmate hanged himself using a bed sheet tied to the window grille bars of his cell. He was certified dead at a public hospital one hour later.
A report had been made to the police. Under the Coroners Ordinance, an inquest must be held when the person dies in a prison.
High Court Judge Douglas Yau Tak-hong learned of Arshad’s suicide from the prosecution on Monday and decided to carry on sentencing co-defendant Gurung Royal, 24.
Four men snatched two rucksacks containing US$740,000 and HK$363,060 in cash, as well as five crossed cheques totalling US$54,613, at the junction of Hok Yuen Street East and Hung Hom Road. Two workers were slashed on the legs during the hold-up.
Arshad was found guilty of robbery and wounding with intent. The department said he had been remanded in custody since March 2021.
Yau said Royal was complicit in the robbery involving Arshad and at least three other men. He added that Royal and Arshad each used a 10-inch knife to slash the store workers.
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“Fortunately, some pedestrians had witnessed the offence and no tragedy occurred,” he said, noting that the injured victims recovered from their wounds and suffered no permanent disability.
In sentencing Royal, Yau took a starting point of 13 years for the robbery charge and eight years for wounding. He ordered Royal to serve the time concurrently.
He also made the order to complete the proceeding by delivering Arshad’s sentence on March 27 when his death certificate would be issued.
