The Queen v. Lam Mei Ching

HCMA000825/1996

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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.

Representation:

Mr David Leung for Crown Prosecutor

Lam Mei Ching - Appellant in person/present