Robbery mastermind hangs himself in cell hours ahead of sentencing

A convicted mastermind of a Hung Hom robbery six years ago, Mehmood Arshad took his own life while in jail detention just hours before the High Court was set to hand down his sentence.

Arshad, a Pakistani national, was accused of orchestrating the robbery, where two jewelry shop employees were robbed of about HK$6.51 million in cash and checks in September 2018. During the incident, the employees were also stabbed multiple times in their feet.

Arshad, who held a recognizance form, was found guilty of robbery at the Court of First Instance. Although he was not physically present at the crime scene, evidence showed that he played a significant role by coordinating the robbers and planning the entire crime.

However, before the sentencing could take place, Deputy Judge Douglas Yau Tak-hong was informed that Arshad had taken his own life. The Correctional Services Department reported that one of its officers discovered Arshad's suicide by hanging, using a bedsheet tied to the window grille bars of his cell at around 5am on the day of the sentencing.

"The officer immediately called for reinforcement to provide first-aid treatment and also called for an ambulance. He was pronounced dead at 6.06am," the department said.

The department has reported the case to the police, and a death inquest will be held by the Coroner's Court. As a result, Arshad's case has been adjourned until March 27, pending the issuance of his death certificate.

Arshad's accomplice, Gurung Royal, a 24-year-old South Asian man and permanent resident, was sentenced to 13 years in prison for robbery and wounding with intent.

During the sentencing, Yau said the crime involved at least five individuals armed with two 10-inch knives, adding that "the crime took place in the middle of the street, and it was fortunate that a passerby discovered it, preventing further tragedy.

"Royal's involvement in the crime was substantiated by his fingerprints found in the getaway vehicle and other related evidence," he said.

Considering that Royal was not provoked during the crime, Yau sentenced him to 13 years in prison for both convictions, emphasizing his cold-blooded nature.

The other accomplices, including Sahil Kumar, an Indian national who confessed to being recruited by Arshad with the promise of a HK$100,000 reward, had previously pleaded guilty. Kumar was sentenced to eight years and four months in jail.