The Queen v. Wong Siu Chung

Case No.HCMA 1599/1989
Court
High Court CFI
Date15 Mar 1990
Judge
Case Document
100%

HCMA001599/1989

Headnote

Sentence - illegal immigrants - defendant a teenager - special considerations to be given.

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF HONG KONG

MAGISTRACY APPEAL NO.1599/89

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BETWEEN

THE QUEEN

AND

WONG Siu-chung

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Coram: Hon. Yang, C.J.

Date of Hearing: 15 March 1990

Date of Judgment: 15 March 1990

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JUDGMENT

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Hon. Yang, C.J.:

1. In this case the appellant was convicted on his own plea of using an identity card relating to another person. He was an illegal immigrant from China.   For a young woman, 20 years of age, I reduced the sentence from 15 months to 12 months in a case earlier this morning where the offence was one of remaining in Hong Kong without authority.  Here we have a boy of 17 years of age at the time of the offence.

2. My attention is drawn to the Attorney General v. Lam Ping-chun 1988 No. 10 Application for Review which awarded a sentence of 12 months after discount on a boy of 18. My sentence in the previous case, namely Magistracy Appeal No. 1591/89, was therefore too low. I think, however, that for defendants under 18 years of age, very special considerations should he given. I would accordingly allow the appeal and reduce the sentence to 9 months.

T.L. Yang
Chief Justice

Representation:

Mr. Steve Chui for Crown/Respondent

Mr. Wong Siu-chung Appellant in person