10 Mar 2026
The magistrate erred in adopting an 18‑month starting point by misreading Dang Van Tuan and by unsupported findings of premeditation; the appropriate starting point on the proved facts is 12 months, and after applying the one‑third guilty plea discount the proper sentence is 8 months' imprisonment. The appeal is allowed and the sentence reduced accordingly.
13 Nov 2025
Leave to appeal against sentence is granted because the revised sentencing guidelines in HKSAR v Huang Ruifang materially affect the appropriate notional starting point for the total cocaine quantity; the Court must hear the appeal and sentence the applicant afresh having regard to the revised starting point and the proper assessment of any enhancement for prior convictions.
14 Jul 2025
Leave to appeal against sentence was granted because there was a realistic prospect of reducing the sentence (potential 4–6 month reduction) and because the case raised issues about the proper application and utility of the Chan Yuk Leong three check tests and the approach to starting points in multi‑drug trafficking cases that warranted appellate examination.
10 Apr 2025
法庭接納控方第三證人的辨認為可靠，裁定被告於2017年12月21日以冒充控方第一證人的方式詐騙並獲利，依據涉款HK$1,600,230參照吳國榮案以3年為欺詐罪量刑起點，認為無減刑因素判處3年監禁；對未按指定歸押罪以3個月為起點，扣除三分之一認罪減刑後為2個月；兩項刑期分期（連續）執行，合計3年2個月。
14 Mar 2025
Leave to appeal was granted because it is reasonably arguable that the sentencing judge set too high a starting point by insufficiently distinguishing the applicant's lesser role and that the judge may have erred in declining to give credit for the applicant's assistance; the Court ordered targeted disclosure (Sivan transcript and any judgment) and an updated medical report to allow full appellate consideration.
24 Jul 2024
The appellate court, on re-hearing of all evidence and exhibits including scene photos and the tools recovered, concluded the trial judge's adverse credibility findings were justified and the only irresistible inference was that the appellant jointly participated in stealing the vehicle battery and possessed tools for that purpose; accordingly convictions and concurrent sentences of five months' imprisonment were upheld.
31 May 2024
The court exercised its discretion under Cap.492 s.8(b) to award costs to the appellant because the appeal succeeded in substituting a lesser sentence; the appeal was straightforward and uncontroversial, and a reasonable costs sum was appropriately assessed at HK$40,000 (HK$20,000 counsel and HK$20,000 solicitor).
9 Apr 2024
The magistrate's acceptance of the prosecution witnesses and the appellant's recorded admissions in the interview were properly based on credibility findings and the evidence showed the marriage was arranged as a sham to procure entry and residence; on rehearing the Court of First Instance, after assessing the written record and evidence, reached the same conclusion beyond reasonable doubt and applied the established sentencing starting point of 18 months, so the conviction and sentence are upheld.
6 Oct 2022
Leave to appeal was refused because the judge correctly applied established principles: the offender's clear intent to inflict really serious harm, detailed premeditation, carrying multiple knives, targeting the chest with potential fatal consequence and persistence in holding the weapon rendered a 12‑year starting point and resulting 9‑year sentence (after discount) not manifestly excessive; the limited injuries were fortuitous and did not undermine culpability.
25 Jan 2022
Although the quantity of cannabis oil was small, the learned Magistrate validly treated the offending as a novel commercial enterprise using Instagram to reach a wide and potentially vulnerable market; that aggravating feature justified a custodial sentence and the two-month sentence after discount was not manifestly excessive, so the appeal is dismissed.