‘Apologetic’ Hong Kong robber gets six years, eight months’ jail for HK$40,000 bank theft
He said ‘sorry’ to staff members before splashing what seemed like thinner on them in bid to get money
An “apologetic” robber who stole HK$40,000 from a Hong Kong bank while using a flammable liquid to threaten staff members, was sentenced to six years and eight months in jail on Thursday.
The High Court heard that on August 1, 2016, Lee Kin-sang, 59, showed up at a Fubon Bank in Tuen Mun. He apologised to two bank employees before splashing liquid that smelled like thinner on them.
“Sorry,” he told them, before moving on to a third staff member to demand money.
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On Thursday, Lee admitted to one count of robbery at the bank branch on Kai Man Path.
Mrs Justice Audrey Campbell-Moffat, in sentencing Lee, noted that the defendant resorted to robbery because of his HK$80,000 gambling debt. She said it was a serious crime, but fortunately no one was hurt.
She added that she took into account his remorse and believed his actions were out of character.
“You intended no harm,” she said, before sentencing him to a crime which would normally result in jail time of between 12 and 15 years.