Lecturer fined for bra theft

A City University lecturer convicted of stealing women's underwear was fined $1,000 yesterday.

An expressionless Frankey Pun Kit-fai, 38, heard Magistrate John Glass announce the fine after considering his background and psychiatric reports.

Pun had pleaded not guilty at North Kowloon Court.

Convicting Pun last month, Mr Glass said publicity about the case had already punished the lecturer.

Pun, employed by the university's department of manufacturing engineering and engineering management since 1991, was caught stealing a hanger with a bra and underpants from outside a flat in Shekkipmei Estate on July 10.

The lecturer had told the court he had been a 'loser at work and romance' and wanted to 'act wild' by looking at the 'real thing', not underwear from a magazine. He said he had not meant to keep them.

The court had heard Pun was suffering from depression because the university would not renew his teaching contract, and he had spent his birthday on July 9 alone, missing his ex-girlfriend.

He said he wanted to take the items for a closer look.