A Customs officer who falsely told a Police suspect that he could help him escape prosecution for $600,000 was jailed for three years by the District Court today.

Lee Tak-chuen, 40, was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to obtain property by deception.

In sentencing, District Court Judge Whaley said being a member of a disciplined force, Lee had committed an offence of a serious nature and deserved an immediate custodial sentence.

The court heard that in September 2000, a bouncer employed by a karaoke lounge and his five associates were arrested by Police in connection with an alleged wounding case. Lee's acquaintance, then a Detective Police Constable, was the investigating officer.

Upon conclusion of the investigation, a Department of Justice counsel advised against prosecution.

Then on September 8 last year, Lee told the bouncer the counsel was his old classmate who would preclude prosecution in return for $600,000. The bribe money was reduced to $200,000 after negotiations.

Four days later, Lee telephoned the bouncer pressing for payment on the grounds that the counsel was urgently in need of money. But no definite reply was given.

Lee was subsequently arrested by the ICAC, and investigations revealed the counsel concerned was never involved in the alleged corrupt arrangement, nor did he know the defendant.