Hong Kong court closes case against robber involved in HK$6.57 million heist after suspected suicide
- Mehmood Arshad, guilty of ambushing two jewellery workers in 2018, believed to have hanged himself using bedsheet secured to cell’s window bars hours before sentencing on January 29
- Deputy Judge Douglas Yau deems indictment ‘of no legal effect’, but says Arshad’s conviction still stands
Hong Kong’s High Court has decided not to sentence a 41-year-old robber over his role in a HK$6.57 million (US$840,000) heist six years ago, after he was believed to have hanged himself in prison.
Prosecutors submitted Mehmood Arshad’s death certificate to the High Court on Wednesday.
Arshad is believed to have killed himself after the Correctional Services Department said a man was found hanging inside a Stanley Prison cell just hours before the defendant’s sentencing hearing on January 29.
Deputy Judge Douglas Yau Tak-hong declared the indictment to be “of no legal effect” and ordered the case closed unless a restart of proceedings was authorised.
Yau acknowledged he was unsure what legal effect his order might entail, but told the defence counsel that Arshad’s conviction still stood.
“It’s a fact that happened,” the judge said, referring to a jury’s decision to find Arshad guilty. “It’s for the people who may look at this case in the future.”
Four men snatched two rucksacks containing US$740,000 and HK$363,060 in cash, as well as five crossed cheques worth US$54,613, at the junction between Hok Yuen Street East and Hung Hom Road.
The two workers were slashed in the legs during the high-profile heist.
Arshad and accomplice Gurung Royal, 24, were convicted of a joint count of robbery, with the latter also found guilty of wounding with intent. Royal was sentenced to 13 years in prison.
Elderly Hongkonger dies, wife hurt in suspected murder-suicide attempt
Without naming Arshad, a spokesman for the Correctional Services Department said an inmate was found hanging from a bedsheet tied to his cell’s window grille at 5.06am. He was certified dead one hour later at hospital.
The Coroners Ordinance stipulates an inquest must be held when a person dies in prison.
