Integrity Focus

A former security guard of a public housing estate, charged by the ICAC, was today (December 6) sentenced to two months imprisonment at the Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts for offering “laisees” totalling $4,000 to her supervisor for arranging her to a post she preferred.

Liang Jinlan, 49, former security guard of Nice Property Management Limited (Nice Property), earlier pleaded guilty to two counts of offering an advantage to an agent, contrary to Section 9(2)(b) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.

In sentencing, Acting Principal Magistrate Miss Veronica Heung Shuk-han remarked that a custodial sentence was inevitable as bribery was a serious offence and the defendant’s law-abiding awareness was weak.

At the material time, Nice Property was engaged by the Housing Department (HD) to provide security services in Lok Fu Estate. Nice Property forbade its staff to offer or accept any advantages in relation to their duties.

The court heard that the defendant was a morning shift security guard of the estate, her daily duty roster was prepared by a security supervisor. Between mid-November 2022 and late January 2023, which was after the birthday of the security supervisor and during Chinese New Year, the defendant offered two “laisees” totalling $4,000 to the security supervisor for arranging her to work at the reception of a building in Lok Fu Estate.

The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint referred by the HD. The department and Nice Property had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case. The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Michael Lim.

The security supervisor concerned was earlier charged by the ICAC with two counts of bribery. No plea was entered and her case was adjourned to January 10 next year for mention.