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DCCC 631/2020
[2021] HKDC 1268
香港特別行政區
區域法院
刑事案件2020年第631號
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| 出席人士: |
梁禮賢先生,為外聘大律師,代表香港特別行政區 |
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蕭國辰先生,由法律援助署委派的鄧兆文律師行延聘,代表被告人 |
| 控罪: |
[1] 未獲授權而取用運輸工具(Taking conveyance without authority) |
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[2] 駕駛時無有效駕駛執照(Driving without a valid driving licence) |
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[3] 沒有第三者保險而使用汽車(Using a motor vehicle without third party insurance) |
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[4] 管有危險藥物(Possession of a dangerous drug) |
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[5] 在公眾地方管有攻擊性武器(Possession of an offensive weapon in a public place) |
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[6] 盜竊罪(Theft) |
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[7] 外出時備有偷竊用的物品(Going equipped for stealing) |
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判刑理由書
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1.被告人共面對7項控罪。原本的控罪包括兩項「盜竊罪」(控罪1及6)、「駕駛時無有效駕駛執照罪」(控罪2)、「沒有第三者保險而使用汽車罪」(控罪3)、「販運危險藥物罪」(控罪4)、「在公眾地方管有攻擊性武器罪」(控罪5)、「外出時備有偷竊用的物品罪」(控罪7)。
2.審訊首日,控方申請修改控罪4,由「販運危險藥物罪」改為「管有危險藥物罪」。後來,控方表示願意修改控罪1,改為「未獲授權而取用運輸工具罪」。因此被告人現面對以下控罪:—
(1) 「未獲授權而取用運輸工具罪,違反香港法例第210章《盜竊罪條例》第14(1)條(修訂控罪1);
(2) 「駕駛時無有效駕駛執照罪,違反香港法例第374章《道路交通條例》第42(1)及(4)條 (控罪2);
(3) 「沒有第三者保險而使用汽車罪」,違反香港法例第272章《汽車保險(第三者風險)條例》第4(1)及(2)(a)條(控罪3);
(4) 「管有危險藥物罪」,違反香港法例第134章《危險藥物條例》第8(1)(a)及(2)條(控罪4);
(5) 「在公眾地方管有攻擊性武器罪」,違反香港法例第245章《公安條例》第33(1)及(2)條(控罪5);
(6) 「盜竊罪」,違反香港法例第210章《盜竊罪條例》第9條(控罪6);
(7) 「外出時備有偷竊用的物品罪」,違反香港法例第210章《盜竊罪條例》第27(1)條(控罪7)。
3.控方修訂控罪後,被告人承認控罪1、2、3、4及7。在這基礎下,控方要求第5及6控罪留檔,除非獲法庭批准,不可繼續予以起訴。其實,2021年5月11日,案件提訊時,被告人已表示雖然否認原有控罪1及4,他願意承認「未獲授權而取用運輸工具罪」及「管有危險藥物罪」。換言之,被告人是第一時間表明承認修訂控罪1及4,可獲最大的扣減。
被告人承認的事實
4.被告人承認的「經修訂案情撮要」如下:—
(1) 在所有關鍵時刻,被告人沒有電單車駕駛執照,亦沒有就電單車(車牌UR4485)的使用備有一份有效和符合香港法例第262章《汽車保險(第三者風險)條例》的規定的第三者風險保單或保證單。
(2) 2019年12月24日約1945時,邱程藝先生把他的電單車(車牌UR4485)泊在桂林街 / 荔枝角道的電單車泊位內。他忘記取走車匙,故車匙仍插在UR4485上,亦只有他擁有UR4485的車匙。同日2120時,他發現UR4485不見了,於是報警,電單車的價值約HK$20,000。
(3) 2020年1月6日約1521時,警員6813(陳警員)及警員26145(李警員)見到被告人(當時戴著一個白色電單車頭盔,身穿深藍色外套,灰色上衣,黑色多袋褲,黑色鞋及孭著一個斜孭袋)行向UR4485,而當時UR4485停泊在深水埗大南街206 - 212號朝南樓地下外(案發現埸)。被告人騎上UR4485,於是兩名警員上前截查被告人。當時被告人扭動車匙,UR4485的車頭燈亦隨即亮著。
(4) 同日約1521時,陳警員搜查被告人,並從其右下側褲袋內,搜出兩包透明可再封膠袋,內載有懷疑危險藥物。陳警員於是以「藏有危險藥物罪」拘捕及警誡被告人。警誡下,被告人説:「阿Sir,呢兩包冰毒係我自己食㗎,」;
(5) 同日約1543時,警方得知UR4485是失車。於是陳警員以「擅取交通工具罪」拘捕及警誡被告人。警誡下,被告人説:「軒仔話車我入荃灣,我咪响電單車度等佢囉。」;
(6) 同日約1554時,警員5166(余警員)搜查UR4485:
於座位下儲物箱內搜出一個粉紅色手袋,其中的物品包括(但不限於):
(i) 一對黑色皮手套;
(ii) 一把約25cm長的士巴拿;
(iii) 一把約20cm長的銀色鉗;
在前置的散銀箱內搜出:
(i) 一對黑色手套;
(ii) 6條六角匙。
(7) 大南街215號 “欣喬教室” 的兩支閉路電視鏡頭,拍得2020年1月6日約在1500時,一名衣著與被告人相似的人,駕駛著一部外型與UR4485相似的電單車駛過。
(8) 同日約1605時,陳警員以「外出時備有偷竊工具罪」拘捕及警誡被告人。警誡下,被告人説:「部電單車軒仔嘅,我唔知有呢啲嘢」。
(9) 同日約1606時,陳警員確認被告人沒有電單車駕駛執照,於是以「無牌駕駛罪」拘捕及警誡被告人。警誡下,被告人説:「我只係坐喺架電單車上面等軒仔,都未開車。」
(10) 同日約1609時,陳警員以「駕駛時無有效第三者保險罪」拘捕及警誡被告人。警誡下,被告人説:「呢部車唔係我嘅,我唔知無買第三者保險。」
(11) 於2020年1月7日約0127 - 0255時,在深水埗警署內,偵緝警員19356向被告人錄取了一份合乎程序的會面紀錄。警誡下,被告人表示:
(a) 涉案毒品是他在2020年1月6日約1400時在通州街近南昌街,從一名叫「斌仔」的人以HK$300買的;
(b) 他自2019年認識「斌仔」,但沒有其聯絡方法。
(12) 政府化驗師確認,從被告人身上檢取的兩包透明可再封膠袋內有思疑危險藥物分別是:
(a) 一個膠袋,內有0.57克晶狀固體,內含0.57克甲基苯丙胺鹽酸鹽,及;
(b) 一個膠袋,內載有0.64克結晶狀固體,內含0.63克甲基苯丙胺鹽酸鹽。
(13) 涉案毒品的總市值約為港幣659元;
(14) 在所有關鍵時刻:
(a) 被告人在沒有獲得授權下,取用了UR4485(修訂控罪1);
(b) 被告人在沒有電單車駕駛執照,及沒有有效的第三者保險的情況下,駕駛UR4485(控罪2及3);
(c) 被告人管有涉案毒品(修訂控罪4);
(d) 被告人管有搜出的工具,以供入屋犯法、盜竊或行騙過程中使用或在與入屋犯法、盜竊或行騙有關的事項上使用(控罪7)。
被告人的背景
5.被告人生於1973年,現年48歲。他曾接受至中學2年級的教育,被捕時無業。他有共20次刑事定罪紀錄,共涉及32項控罪;其中13項與不誠實有關(包括1次與修訂控罪1類同和6次入屋犯法)。他亦有1次「駕駛時無有效駕駛執照」及1次「沒有第三者保險而使用汽車」的紀錄。另外,被告人有9次與毒品有關的紀錄(其中一次涉及第一類毒藥)。被告人承認是一名癮君子。沒有爭議的是,干犯本案時,被告人違反了WK2146/2020一案內的保釋條件。
討論
修訂控罪1:未獲授權而取用運輸工具
6.根據香港法例第210章《盜竊罪條例》第14(1)條,「未獲授權而取用運輸工具罪」的最高判刑為7年監禁。這類控罪的情節差異可以很大,由未獲授權而使用運輸工具作「遊車河」(joy ride)至於干犯嚴重控罪(例如搶劫)時使用運輸工具不等。因此,這類控罪刑期很廣泛,亦沒有判刑指引(tariff):見HKSAR v Tam Simon (HCMA 489 & 490/1996, unreported)。
7.於HKSAR v Andrianiaina Adrien Luck Yu Pau [2017] HKCU 576一案內,被告人承認4項控罪,包括(1) 「未獲授權而使用運輸工具」(控罪1);「危險駕駛」(控罪2);「沒有第三者保險而使用汽車」(控罪3)及「盜竊」(控罪4)。2015年11月17日上午約6時45分,被告人登上暫時沒有人看管的貨車KK4542,並將其駛走;於窩打老道及登打士街交界,被告人突然停車,並逆線倒車。之後,被告人左轉入登打士街,沿煙廠街駛向花園街,沿途撞毀4個街檔。被告人再高速逆線倒車,於煙廠街和廣華街交界倒車進入登打士街,繼續倒車至窩打老道和登打士街交界。被告人續駛上窩打老道的行人路,沿途撞毀兩間店舖的外牆及一間麥當勞餐廳的入口。被告人停車後再沿行人路倒車入窩打老道,撞毀一支交通燈及路上鐵欄。最終被告人於染布房街停低。同日上午6時58分,被告人下車,走進仕德福酒店大堂,聲稱打劫,並用螺絲批指嚇酒店員工。之後被告人走進櫃枱,盜取員工的手提電話後便離開。同日約上午7時10分,被告人被警方截停。警方從被告人身上搜出2個分別18厘米及21厘米長的螺絲批。警誡下,被告人稱進入酒店借用洗手間,但遭拒;於是他聲稱打劫及偷去手提電話。之後,被告人於錄影會面內指他因吸食冰毒才取去貨車「遊車河」,而他身上的螺絲批是用於工作。他是因一時之氣下才聲稱打劫及偷去電話。
8.該案的被告人55歲。他於1982年有一個輕微的定罪紀錄;法官表示把他當作首次犯案。原審法官分別判處被告人8個月監禁(控罪1);16個月監禁(控罪2);6個月監禁(控罪3)及40個月監禁(控罪4),其中控罪1及3的4個月監禁與控罪2的16個月刑期分期執行(即20個月監禁)。另該20個月監禁與控罪4的40個月監禁分期執行(即總刑期為60個月監禁)。法官亦下令被告人停牌18個月;就控罪2,停牌令由判刑日期開始生效,而就控罪3,停牌令由定罪日期開始生效。被告人不服判刑,提出上訴。
9.就控罪1,上訴法院裁定:—
“30. In The Queen v Tam, Simon, Chan J, as Chan NPJ, having adverted to the judgments of this court in The Queen v Leung Yam Hung and The Queen v Wu Yat Cheung said:
‘Apart from these cases, I do not think there are any authorities setting down the usual tariff for taking conveyance of vehicles.’
Chan J went on to say:
‘It does appear that there can be a wide range in the sentence for such offence, ranging from a case of a person taking a car for a joy-ride at one end to a person taking a car in connection with the participation of a serious crime at the other. One has to bear in mind that the maximum penalty upon conviction on indictment is seven years.’
31. In HCMA 488/1996, having pleaded guilty, the appellant was sentenced to 6 months’ imprisonment for taking a conveyance without authority in November 1995, one month’s imprisonment for driving a vehicle without a valid driving licence and fined $3,000 for driving a vehicle without third-party insurance. The judge ordered the sentence of 6 months’ imprisonment imposed for taking a conveyance without authority to be served consecutively to the sentences of imprisonment imposed in respect of HCMA 490/1996.
32. In HCMA 490/1996, having pleaded guilty, the appellant was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment for each of two charges of taking a conveyance without authority, in a period of two weeks in late July to mid-August 1995, and to 3 months’ imprisonment for each of two charges of theft from a vehicle. One of the charges of theft was of a vehicle number plate taken from a third vehicle, whereas the other charge of theft was of property from one of the two vehicles. The judge ordered the two sentences of imprisonment imposed for the theft charges to be served consecutively with each other, the two sentences of imprisonment imposed in respect of the taking a conveyance to be served concurrently with one another but consecutively to the total sentence of 6 months imposed in respect of the two charges of theft.
33. Of the sentences imposed in respect of the three offences of taking a conveyance without authority, Chan J said:
‘Without setting a guideline for this type of offence, I should think that the sentence of 6 to 12 months imposed in the present case after a plea cannot be regarded in anyway as wrong in principle or manifestly excessive. I note that in these two cases, what happened was that on three different occasions, the appellant took conveyance of three vehicles without authority. The total sentence of 18 months consisting of 12 months in the first case for the two offences (both to run concurrently) and 6 months in the second case would mean effectively 18 months for a succession of similar offences committed within a period of a few months. This cannot be regarded as excessive.’
34. In The Queen v Leung Yam Hung, the applicant was convicted after trial of a count of wounding with intent. In the course of the trial, the appellant had pleaded guilty to a charge of taking a conveyance without authority. He was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment for the latter charge. This Court quashed the appellant’s conviction on the count of wounding with intent. Of the sentence imposed in respect of the charge of taking a conveyance without authority, Silke JA, as Silke VP was then, said:
‘The sentence passed upon the taking of the conveyance charge was one of 12 months’ imprisonment. One of the reasons given by the trial judge, based on the matter as it then stood before him, for the passing of this sentence was that there is a distinction to be drawn between taking a car for a joy-ride and taking one for the purpose of committing a serious crime. He felt that the taking away here fell into the second category. That reason has, of course, now gone. We think that a sentence of in or about 6 months would have been appropriate for an isolated charge of this nature without the overlay of the taking of the car for the purpose of participation in a serious criminal offence,’
35. As noted earlier, the judge determined that there was an insufficient evidential basis to find out the appellant had the intention to commit robbery at a time when he had taken the goods van and drove it away.
36. Given that the taking of the goods van without authority was a single offence and that the appellant was of previous good character, we are satisfied that the judge erred in stipulating a starting point for sentence of 12 months’ imprisonment. Rather, the appropriate starting point for sentence was 9 months’ imprisonment. Affording the appellant a discount of one-third for his plea of guilty, the appropriate sentence is 6 months’ imprisonment.”
10.辯方援引HKSAR v Lam Chi Kwan CACC 105/2018。該案的被告人在路障被截停,及後被發現其駕駛的電單車為失車。案中沒有證據顯示被告人會利用擅取的電單車來干犯其他罪行。該電單車的點火系統及車尾箱有被撬痕跡。原審法官採納6個月監禁作為量刑起點,獲上訴法院認同。辯方大律師指本案被告人並非擅取電單車來干犯其他罪行。該電單車的點火系統及車尾箱更沒被撬的痕跡,因此本案的情節比Lam Chi Kwan輕微,要求法庭採納不多於6個月監禁作為量刑起點。
11.大律師指被告人於2019年4月4日就一宗「管有偽造身分證」案而獲得警方保釋,及後因本案而被拘捕。縱使被告人於保䆁期間犯案,但控罪性質不同。大律師認同此乃加刑因素,但要求法庭從輕發落。
12.對大律師的陳述,本席不敢苟同。本案內的情節與Lam Chi Kwan案有重大分歧。本案中,電單車於2019年12月24日已不翼而飛,而且被告人有13次與不誠實有關的前科,其中6次為爆竊,又將偷竊工具放於電單車的儲物箱內。很明顯,取去電單車的目的並非只是「遊車河」,而是與干犯其他嚴重控罪有關。大律師也無法不承認,被告人管有的偷竊工具放於電單車的儲物箱內,以供入屋犯法、盜竊或行騙過程中使用;當被告人干犯這些控罪時,他並不會到電單車拿取工具後步行往犯案。因此,取得電單車是與干犯其他控罪有關。基於上述因素,本席以12個月監禁作為初步量刑起點(notional starting point)。
13.被告人的刑事定罪紀錄惡劣。他於2019年10月13日就「未獲授權而取用運輸工具」、「駕駛時無有效駕駛執照」及「沒有第三者保險而使用汽車」共三項控罪被判處2個月監禁,並於2019年11月12日出獄。出獄後不久便干犯「管有他人身分證罪」,更於上述案件保釋期間連環干犯本案的控罪。另外,被告人根本從來沒有考獲電單車駕駛執照,亦沒第三者保險。再者,被告人不但身上藏有危險藥物,拘捕後的尿液測試顯示他的體內有安非他命。換言之,他是於毒品影響下駕駛電單車。上述均為加刑因素。因此,本席將量刑起點上調至30個月監禁。被告人於訂定審期前已表明願意承認修定控罪1,可獲三分一的扣減。被告人指其父親於其還押期間離世,因此父親臨終前被告人未能見父親的最後一面。被告人是因不斷犯案而被還押,未能見父親最後一面乃咎由自取。除了認罪之外,沒有其他減刑原因。這項控罪的刑期減至20個月監禁。
控罪2:駕駛時無有效駕駛執照
14.根據香港法例第374章《道路交通條例》第42(4)條,任何人違反第(1)或(3)款,即屬犯法,如屬首次被定罪,可處第2級罰款及監禁3個月,如屬第二次被定罪或隨後再次被定罪,則可處第3級罰款及監禁6個月。
15.辯方援引香港特別行政區 訴 賴錦明 CACC 344/2014一案作參考。該案的被告人擅取他人車輛後,在無有效駕駛執照及第三者保險的情況下駕駛該車輛。原審法官就該兩項控罪判處被告人共6,000元罰款及吊銷駕駛執照12個月;判刑獲上訴法院的認同。大律師指本案的情節類同,被告人亦從沒「不小心駕駛」或「危險駕駛」的紀錄,本案亦沒有人因被告人的駕駛而受傷。因此大律師要求本席以罰款了事。
16.就停牌令,大律師援引R v Cooksley [2004] 1Cr App R(S) 1一案,指根據英國上訴法院,判處停牌的目的是提倡前瞻及預防性而非追究及懲罰性。他懇請法庭考慮一個較短期的停牌令,採納不超過12個月,讓被告人出獄後可馬上或短期內申請駕駛執照。
17.本席不同意大律師的陳述。被告人已是第2次被定罪,而且是因相同控罪服刑後不久便再犯;當時亦違反WK2146/2020的保釋條件。他從沒考取駕駛執照,亦於吸食毒品後駕駛電單車。因此,本席以6個月監禁作為量刑起點。被告人是於審期首日才表示認罪,只可獲百份之20的扣減。除了認罪之外,沒有其他減刑因素,刑期減至4.8個月,即146日。
控罪3:沒有第三者保險而使用汽車
18.大律師採納就控罪2的陳述。
19.於HKSAR v Andrianiaina Adrien Luck Yu Pau (supra) 一案內,上訴法院指出:—
“Using a motor-vehicle without third party insurance
38. As Yeung J, as Yeung VP was then, observed in his judgment in HKSAR v Wong Chi Ming the seriousness of the offence of using a motor-vehicle without third-party insurance…”lies in the possibility of the victims in traffic accidents may be left without any compensation.”. That possibility appears to have become reality in this case, given the extent of the damage caused by the appellant and the submission made on his behalf to the judge that “…the defendant has no financial ability to make any compensation either for the mobile phone or any property damages”. It is to be noted that Yeung J refused the appeal against sentences of 4 months’ imprisonment imposed on the appellant’s conviction on his pleas of guilty for the offences of using a motor-vehicle without third-party insurance and for driving whilst disqualified, which sentences were ordered to be served concurrently. In that case, the appellant had been disqualified on four previous occasions and had previous convictions for using a motor vehicle without insurance.
39. As the judge noted, the maximum sentence for the offence of using a motor-vehicle without third-party insurance is 12 months’ imprisonment. In all the circumstances of this case, having regard to the fact that the appellant has no previous convictions for that offence, we are satisfied that the judge erred in stipulating a starting point for sentence of 9 months’ imprisonment. Rather, the appropriate starting point was 6 months’ imprisonment. Affording the appellant a discount of one-third for his plea of guilty to this offence, the appropriate sentence is 4 months’ imprisonment.”
20.案發時,被告人不但沒有第三者保險,連電單車執照也欠奉。事實上,他從沒考取駕駛執照,只曾獲得學車牌照。在這情況下駕駛車輛極其危險。他身上亦藏有極高純度的冰毒;他於吸食毒品後駕駛電單車。眾所周知,毒品會影響駕駛者的判斷。他就相同控罪服刑後及在保釋期間連環干犯本案的控罪。被告人年近半百,一直沒考取駕駛執照。現時面對判刑卻指希望盡快申請執照。事實上,他沒有資格申請駕駛執照,而是須重頭學起,再考取執照。基於上述因素,本席採納10個月監禁作為量刑起點。被告人於審訊首日才表示認罪,只可獲百分之20的扣減。除了認罪之外,沒有其他減刑因素,刑期減至8個月監禁。2019年,被告人干犯相同控罪時,其持有或領取汽車駕駛執照的資格被取消12個月,但判刑對被告人形同虛設。本席下令被告人持有或領取任何類型汽車駕駛執照的資格由定罪日期起計,取消18個月。
控罪4:管有危險藥物
21.於HKSAR v Chan Tak-king & Chan Pau-you [1989] 2 HKLR 428一案內,上訴法院指就一名積犯而言,適合的量刑起點為6至9個月監禁。於HKSAR v Mok Cho-tik [2001] 1HKC 261一案內,上訴法院指:—
“We remain of the view that the starting point for mere possession of a quantity of dangerous drugs which a bona fide user would normally have in his possession should be in the range of 12 to 18 months”.
22.涉案冰毒只有1.2克甲基苯丙胺鹽酸鹽,但純度極高;況且被告人有兩次販運危險藥物的前科,本席須考慮毒品流入其他人手中的潛在風險(latent risk):見 HKSAR v Mok Cho-tik [2001] (supra)。另外,被告人有9次與毒品有關的刑事定罪紀錄,是一名名乎其實的慣犯。再者,被告人是於WK2146/2020保釋期間干犯本案;此亦為加刑因素。本席以9個月監禁作為初步量刑起點;考慮到上述加刑困素,將量刑起點上調至12個月監禁。被告人第一時間認罪,可獲三分一扣減;刑期減至8個月監禁。
控罪7:外出時備有偷竊用的物品
23.上訴法院於HKSAR v Li Ho Yin CACC 240/2012一案內指出,這類控罪沒有量刑指引;法庭判刑時會考慮各項因素,包括被告人是甚麼情况下被拘捕、拘捕時身上裝備、被告人的刑事定罪紀錄、被告人有否同時干犯其他罪行及整體量刑原則。
24.辯方援引HKSAR v Cheung Cheuk Hung DCCC 1306/2009一案。該案被告人被控一項「外出時備有偷竊用的物品罪」。他帶備一些可用作進行「入屋犯法」的用具,包括兩支剪鉗及三支螺絲批,出現在一座商業大廈中形跡可疑。他承認當時有意圖及準備進行「入屋犯法」,只是他察覺自己被保安注意後才選擇離開。同時,他亦承認早前干犯了5項「入屋犯法罪」。他承認所有控罪。區域法院法官就「外出時備有偷竊用的物品罪」採納12個月監禁為量刑起點。大律師指本案被告人是在街上被拘捕;當時備有一把板手、一把剪鉗及6支六角匙;這些都是可用作「入屋犯法」的普通用具,而非重型爆竊用品。該些工具均放於電單車的儲物箱內,而非隨身攜帶。大律師承認被告人以往的18項刑事定罪紀錄中有4項(涉及6項控罪)均為爆竊,而最後一項紀錄的日期為2017年。大律師指本案內被告人並非面對「入屋犯法」罪,要求法庭採納不超過12個月監禁作為量刑起點。
25.本席同意本案的情節與HKSAR v Cheung Cheuk Hung類近,但本案中,被告人於服刑後不久及保釋期間犯案。本席以15個月監禁作為量刑起點。被告人於審訊首日才認罪,只可獲百分之20的扣減;刑期減至12個月監禁。
總刑期
26.本席採納修訂控罪1至3源自同一事件;因此下令控罪1、2及3的刑期同期執行。控罪4及7的性質與首3控罪完全不同,刑期理應分期執行。可是法庭須考慮總刑期的問題。考慮到本案的情節,本席認為適合的總刑期起點為3年3個月監禁,經扣減後,總刑期下調至26個月監禁。因此,本席下令控罪4及7刑期的其中6個月與控罪1、2及3分期執行(即總刑期為26個月監禁)。
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