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A Chinese University student broke into a peer's dormitory on the campus. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Chinese University of Hong Kong student attempted burglary to ease financial woes

Thomas Chan

A Chinese University student was given a one-year jail term, suspended for three years, after breaking into a peer's dormitory room to steal her possessions to solve his financial problems.

Passing sentence, District Judge Sham Siu-man said: "Life is not always smooth, and there will be difficult times. [Crime] will not solve the difficulties."

Vincent Kong Wai-tik, a 20-year-old Japanese studies student, pleaded guilty to one count of burglary. He submitted a handful of mitigation letters, including one from Chinese University's vice chancellor Professor Joseph Sung Jao-yiu, praising his academic performance.

Sham said Kong was from a broken family and his father had previously been jailed for a drug-related offence.

He said it was commendable Kong achieved outstanding results despite his family background, and regarded the offence as "momentary stupidity".

The court heard that at about 12.10am on March 21 this year, Fanny Fu Ka-wing and her roommate returned to Chinese University's International House and saw Kong attempting to climb through their window. Prosecutor Chan Tin-lok said half of his body was inside the room.

Chan said Kong fled empty-handed and climbed down the water pipe.

Neither Fu nor her roommate recognised Kong as the man who broke into their room.

At about 8.25am the same day, Kong admitted the offence to Professor Lee Tin-lap and the police were called. Kong told them he aimed to steal things to pay back his credit card loans.

The judge said burglary offences normally warranted a custodial sentence, but the opportunistic nature of the crime and Kong's immediate remorse were mitigating factors.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Student attempted burglary to ease financial woes
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