HKSAR v. SHOHIDUL ISLAM
- Citation
- HKSAR v. SHOHIDUL ISLAM
- Status
- Judgment
- Jurisdiction
- Hong Kong
- Court
- Court of First Instance
- Decision
- 8 February 2012
- Posture
- Magistracy Appeal (criminal) / Appeal Against Sentence (on Appeal From STCC 2686 of 2010)
- Case number
- HCMA826/2011
- Language
- English
More details
- Court
- Court of First Instance
- Decision
- 8 February 2012
- Posture
- Magistracy Appeal (criminal) / Appeal Against Sentence (on Appeal From STCC 2686 of 2010)
- Case number
- HCMA826/2011
- Language
- English
On this page
Professional case brief
Research organized from the available case record
01
Holding and result
The court held that the magistrate correctly followed the standard guideline sentence of 15 months for unlawful remaining, appropriately reduced it to 13 months for time spent in immigration custody, and there was no sufficient justification to depart from the guideline; therefore the appeal against sentence must be dismissed.
Court disposition
Appeal dismissed.
Orders
- Appeal against sentence dismissed
- Sentence of 13 months imprisonment upheld
02
Material facts
Parties
HKSAR
Respondent Counsel: Ms Peggy Leung, Senior Public ProsecutorSHOHIDUL-ISLAM
Appellant Counsel: In personAmounts and remedies
- Sentence Imposed: 13
- Guideline Sentence (guilty Plea): 15
03
Procedural history
Posture
Magistracy Appeal (criminal) / Appeal Against Sentence (on Appeal From STCC 2686 of 2010)
04
Questions and positions
Legal issues
- 01
Whether to depart from the standard guideline sentence for unlawful remaining in Hong Kong
- 02
Whether mitigation based on family circumstances justifies reducing the sentence further
- 03
Appropriate credit for time spent in immigration custody
Party arguments
- Applicant
- Appellant pleaded for a reduction in sentence on the grounds that he has family and a small daughter in Hong Kong and wishes to see them.
- Respondent
- Prosecution submitted the sentencing policy is applied even-handedly; the guideline sentence for a guilty plea is 15 months, the magistrate followed that guideline and reduced it to 13 months to reflect time spent in immigration custody, and there is no justification to depart from the standard guideline.
05
Court’s reasoning
Legal principles
- 01
Immigration Ordinance section 38(1)(b)
Unlawfully remaining in Hong Kong is an offence under the Immigration Ordinance.
- 02
Sentencing guideline applied by magistrate/High Court practice
Guideline sentences for offences should be applied unless there is justification to depart.
- 03
Magistrate's sentencing practice
Credit may be given for time spent in custody pending immigration proceedings.
06
Ratio, limits and disposition
Ratio decidendi
The court held that the magistrate correctly followed the standard guideline sentence of 15 months for unlawful remaining, appropriately reduced it to 13 months for time spent in immigration custody, and there was no sufficient justification to depart from the guideline; therefore the appeal against sentence must be dismissed.
Obiter and limits
- The appellant's family circumstances and plea were sympathetic but do not justify departing from the guideline.
- The sentencing policy is applied even-handedly.
Court disposition
Appeal dismissed.
- Appeal against sentence dismissed
- Sentence of 13 months imprisonment upheld
Source and reliance status
Court of First Instance · 8 February 2012
This page organises the available record for research. Confirm quotations, current status, and subsequent treatment against the official source before relying on the case.
Judgment reading view
Judgment text
The complete available source text.
Court of First Instance
Judgment· 8 February 2012
bjbj HCMA 826/2011
IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE
HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION
COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE MAGISTRACY APPEAL NO. 826 OF 2011 (ON APPEAL FROM STCC 2686 OF 2010) ____
BETWEEN HKSAR Respondent and SHOHIDUL-ISLAM Appellant ____ Before: The Honourable Mr Justice Line in Court Date of Hearing: 8 February 2012 Date of Judgment: 8 February 2012 ______
J U D G M E N T _______ This is an appeal against a sentence of 13 months imprisonment imposed for unlawfully remaining in Hong Kong, contrary to section 38(1)(b) of the Immigration Ordinance, to which the appellant pleaded guilty. He had been arrested in June of 2007 for unlawfully remaining and released upon a recognisance having admitted that he had sneaked into Hong Kong. He was then dealt with in November of 2008 for an offence relating to a forged trademark. That triggered the prosecution for this offence. The policy is applied even-handedly as is the guideline sentence on a plea of guilty of 15 months imprisonment which the magistrate followed. He reduced the 15 month sentence to 13 months by reason of the time the appellant had spent in custody of the Immigration Department since his arrival here. The appellant today asks me very nicely and politely to reduce his sentence saying that he has family and a small daughter here in Hong Kong and badly wishes to see them. Despite the attractive way he puts his case I regret to say that nothing can justify me from departing from the standard guideline here. Accordingly I am bound to dismiss his appeal against sentence (P Line) Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court Ms Peggy Leung, Senior Public Prosecutor of the Department of Justice, for the Respondent Appellant appeared in person
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