Ma Siu Ming v. The Queen

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF HONG KONG

(APPELLATE JURISDICTION)

CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 236 OF 1973

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JUDGMENT

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1.  The Appellant is 16 years of age and he appeals against a sentence of detention in a Training Centre for robbery. He and another person approached a young couple and demanded that they take out all their money or they would be stabbed to death. No weapon was produced by the victims, of course, could not be sure that no weapon was at hand and they handed over their possessions.

2.  The Appellant had a clear record and the learned magistrate obtained full reports from the Commissioner of Prisons and from a probation officer.  These reports indicated that probation was not a suitable sentence and that, although the Appellant appeared to be sorry for what he had done, he did require some supervision, which his family appeared to be unable to provide.  In those circumstances I entirely agree with the course adopted by the learned magistrate.

3.  This appeal must be dismissed.

25th April 1973.