A 41-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman were sentenced to more than nine years in prison today for luring a man to a hotel in Yau Ma Tei, where he was assaulted, robbed, and held for ransom.
The court heard that the victim, Alex, had known defendant Mak Pui-i, the 31-year old woman, for nearly 13 years and often lent her money.
In September 2021, Mak lured him to Bell House in Yau Ma Tei under the pretext of having sex, where he was ambushed by her accomplices.
Co-defendant Wong Wai and others dragged Alex into a room, beat him with punches, kicks, and a baseball bat, blindfolded him and tied his hands. They robbed him of HK$3,500 in cash, two phones and bank cards.
Alex had earlier called his aunt, asking her to alert police if she lost contact with him within 45 minutes. When Wong discovered the call, he punched Alex in the face and kicked him in the chest.
Alex later told Wong he could get HK$40,000 from his aunt and a handover was arranged at Maritime Square. The aunt delayed the meeting and notified police, who arrested one of the accomplices.
Alex was sent to hospital with injuries including a facial cut, bruising around his eye, and tenderness to his arm and chest.
High Court judge Andrew Chan Hing-wai described the case as premeditated and serious, noting that the victim was subjected to violence and intimidation, although he did not suffer lasting injuries.
Mak was sentenced to nine years and two months, while Wong received nine years and eight months after pleading guilty to robbery and false imprisonment with intent to obtain ransom.
