The Queen v. Lam Mei Ching

Read the full judgment text of HCMA 825/1996 on BabelCite. This High Court CFI judgment was delivered on 19 September 1996.

1. The appellant appeals against the sentence of 15 months' imprisonment imposed upon her for remaining in Hong Kong without the permission of the Director of Immigration. She was convicted of a similar offence at the beginning of the year. The reason given by the appellant for entering Hong Kong illegally is financial embarrassment occasioned by her mother's physical and mental condition.

Case No.HCMA 825/1996
Court
High Court CFI
Date19 Sep 1996
Judge
Case Document
100%Judiciary

HCMA000825/1996

IN THE SUPREME COURT  
   
1996, No. 825
Magistracy Appeal

BETWEEN    
  THE QUEEN Respondent
  and  
  LAM MEI CHING Appellant

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Coram: Hon Mayo JA in Court (sitting as an additional High Court Judge)

Date of hearing: 19 September 1996

Date of Judgment: 19 September 1996

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JUDGMENT

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Mayo JA:

1. The appellant appeals against the sentence of 15 months' imprisonment imposed upon her for remaining in Hong Kong without the permission of the Director of Immigration. She was convicted of a similar offence at the beginning of the year. The reason given by the appellant for entering Hong Kong illegally is financial embarrassment occasioned by her mother's physical and mental condition.

2. I regret that this cannot be an acceptable excuse for not imposing the usual sentence in such cases. The sentence was neither excessive nor wrong in principle and this appeal is dismissed.

  (Simon Mayo)
  sitting as an additional High Court Judge

Representation:

Mr David Leung for Crown Prosecutor

Lam Mei Ching - Appellant in person/present