Man jailed for 30 months for framing teenager to extort $50,000

A 59-year-old transport worker was sentenced to 30 months in prison for pretending to be police, framing a 16-year-old student for possessing drugs and extorting nearly HK$50,000 from the teenager around 13 years ago.

At the District Court on Monday, deputy district judge Charles Chan Wing-ho denounced defendant Matchy Leung Wai-kit for his “despicable act” and “meticulous” scheme of extortion by exploiting the young victim's inexperience in life.

In his sentencing remarks, the judge criticized the defendant for making a serious accusation against a young student and even claiming involvement of triads and anti-graft authorities, deeply frightening the victim.

Leung was first arrested for his crimes in 2013, but jumped bail and fled to the mainland for 11 years. He remained at large until last year, when he was arrested again when returning to Hong Kong at Lowu.

The judge hit out at Leung for being “full of lies” when he explained his actions to the police after being caught, and pointed out that the defendant showed limited remorse because he escaped for 11 years.

The defendant was sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to nine counts of fraud and one count of theft.

The court has heard that Leung claimed himself as a police officer and then searched the youngster, surnamed Chan, in November 2012. Taking a small pack of white powder off of Chan, Leung accused him of possessing drugs.

The court heard that when the tearful youngster denied possession of the “drug,” Leung took HK$800 from Chan's wallet to “pretend nothing happened” and continued to threaten the student for more money until April 2013.

The case only came to light after a parent found out that Chan kept borrowing money from his classmates.

(Jamie Liu)