Read the full judgment text of on BabelCite. was delivered on 19 March 1999 before Power, Ag. Chief Judge, H.C., Mayo & Stuart-Moore, JJ.A..
Criminal law – counterfeiting – forgery of banknotes – possession of implements for forgery – possession of forged banknotes – sentencing – application for leave to appeal out of time – whether total sentence of 7 1/2 years' imprisonment manifestly excessive or wrong in principle – starting point of nine years' imprisonment at top end of range – discount of 1 1/2 years too generous but overall sentence just and proper – flat used as currency production centre – $800,000 face value of forged HK$1,000 notes in safe deposit box – US dollar forgeries and approximately $75,000 worth of renminbi found – mainland connection – criminal enterprise extending over several months – fingerprints on notes in flat, safe deposit box, and Applicant's briefcase – forgeries capable of passing as genuine – R v Suchai Pruksachattaworn indicating six to seven years as proper starting point for forgery and uttering where substantial amounts involved – R v Yip Moon-kwan showing substantially higher starting points for sophisticated conspiracies – medium range of seriousness – application for leave to appeal out of time refused and dismissed
Legal issues: Whether the sentence of 7 1/2 years' imprisonment was manifestly excessive or wrong in principle
Outcome: Application for leave to appeal out of time against sentence refused and dismissed.