R. v. Hoang Tu Anh

Read the full judgment text of HCMA 288/1995 on BabelCite. This High Court CFI judgment was delivered on 16 June 1995.

1. This is an appeal against sentence by this Appellant who was sentenced by Mr. Christie at Fanling. He was an illegal immigrant and had hid on a hillside, had not had anything to eat and he was found inside a cabinet of the dressing room in the house. He had taken a pair of sports shoes. He had entered barefoot through an open window.

Case No.HCMA 288/1995
Court
High Court CFI
Date16 Jun 1995
Judge
Case Document
100%Judiciary

CACC000288/1995

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF HONG KONG

(Appellate Jurisdiction)

MAGISTRACY CRIMINAL APPEAL No. 288 OF 1995

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BETWEEN
THE QUEEN
AND
CHU Tak-ching

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Coram: The Hon. Mr. Justice Sears in Court

Date of hearing: 16 June 1995

Date of judgment: 16 June 1995

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J U D G M E N T

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1. This is an appeal against sentence by this Appellant who was sentenced by Mr. Christie at Fanling. He was an illegal immigrant and had hid on a hillside, had not had anything to eat and he was found inside a cabinet of the dressing room in the house. He had taken a pair of sports shoes. He had entered barefoot through an open window.

2. He is only 22 years old and he said he was in search of food. The magistrate sentenced him to 15 months for being an illegal immigrant, 15 months for the burglary, the taking of a pair of gym shoes, consecutive making a total of 30 months.

3. This, in my judgment, is far too harsh. He is a young man entitled to a substantial discount for his plea and in so far as totality is concerned, in my judgment, it is too high.

4. Whilst no doubt the magistrate was naturally concerned with the opportunity of illegal immigrants to burgle residences, the sentence must be for the particular offence. The facts here, particularly as 15 months for the illegal entry must be consecutive, justify a more merciful approach. The burglary sentence is reduced to 6 months, so the total sentence is 21 months.

(R.A.W. Sears)
Judge of the High Court

Representation:

Mr. D. Pang, Ag. A.P. C.C. for Crown.

Appellant in person.