香港特別行政區 訴 賴錦鋒

香港特別行政區 訴 賴錦鋒

Because the defence consistently denied possession and never advanced self‑use, and because the totality of the evidence (quantity and value of drugs, circumstances at scene, absence of defence evidence of drug use) did not provide a reasonable evidential basis for a jury to convict of simple possession, the trial...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2020] HKCA 1031
Parties
Applicant: Lai Kam Fung (賴錦鋒); Respondent: The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Court
Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction
Hong Kong
Judgment Date
16 December 2020
Case Number
CACC81/2019
Procedural Posture
Criminal — Leave to Appeal Against Conviction / Application for Leave to Appeal Heard by Court of Appeal; Leave Refused and Appeal Dismissed
Outcome
Application for leave to appeal dismissed; conviction for trafficking upheld
Legal Topics
Possession With Intent to Distribute, Alternative Verdict, Jury Directions, Self‑use Defence, Ho Hoi Shing Principle
Source Language
ch
Criminal Law Narcotics Law Evidence Criminal Procedure Appeal Possession With Intent to Distribute Alternative Verdict Jury Directions +2 more

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Parties

Lai Kam Fung (賴錦鋒)

Applicant

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Criminal — Leave to Appeal Against Conviction / Application for Leave to Appeal Heard by Court of Appeal; Leave Refused and Appeal Dismissed

  1. 1 Whether the trial judge erred in failing to direct the jury on the alternative verdict of simple possession
  2. 2 Whether the evidence provided a rational basis to infer possession for personal use as opposed to possession for supply
  3. 3 How the defendant's chosen defence strategy affects the duty to leave an alternative verdict

Ratio Decidendi

Because the defence consistently denied possession and never advanced self‑use, and because the totality of the evidence (quantity and value of drugs, circumstances at scene, absence of defence evidence of drug use) did not provide a reasonable evidential basis for a jury to convict of simple possession, the trial judge did not err in declining to direct the jury on the alternative verdict; accordingly the application for leave was properly refused and the conviction stands.

Court Disposition

Application for leave to appeal dismissed; conviction for trafficking upheld

Orders

  • Leave to appeal against conviction refused
  • Appeal dismissed and conviction upheld