A POLICE sergeant convicted over accepting $9,000 in bribes had his sentence reduced by more than half yesterday after agreeing to testify against other officers.
Poon Hing-nan, 34, pleaded guilty in Eastern Court to conspiring with another sergeant, Yuen Kam-bor, 36, to accept money from a gambling den operator. They were to warn the operator of police raids between April 1 and June 30 last year.
Poon joined the Wong Tai Sin special duties squad in September 1993 and was responsible for raids on vice establishments and gambling dens in San Po Kong.
On April 1 last year, Poon's predecessor, Yuen, suggested payment for giving warnings about raids.
Poon rejected the offer at first, but later told Yuen when raids were planned. He was paid $3,000.
Poon gave warnings on two other occasions before Yuen was transferred out of the squad in June last year. Poon got $9,000 in total.
Yuen is serving 31/2 years in jail after pleading guilty to corruption related charges.
Andrew Ma, for Poon, said in mitigation his client had tipped off Yuen out of friendship.
Mr Ma said his client had twice been fired on by suspects in an operation, but had not shot back for fear of hurting bystanders.
Poon had also co-operated with the Independent Commission Against Corruption and helped in investigations of a police officer, a gambling den and 10 brothels allegedly involved in the corruption ring.
Information from him had led to probes of eight officers who allegedly perverted the course of justice.
Magistrate Yung Yiu-wing reduced Poon's jail term of 18 months to eight. He also ordered Poon pay the Government $9,000.
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