A Fire Services officer has been jailed 18 months for helping an installation contractor cheat in qualification examinations.

Cheng Chun-wai, 52, was found guilty of two counts of misconduct in public office at Kowloon City Magistracy today. Magistrate Robert McNair said the offences might jeopardise public safety.

The court heard Cheng came to know contractor Li Yu-kun in 1996. In July 1997, the defendant was appointed as a marker for the Class 3 Fire Service Installation Contractor written examination, in which Li had participated. Noticing Li's bad score, Cheng withdrew his answer book and replaced it with a different one.

Cheng also allowed Li to view fire extinguishing equipment in respect of which questions would be asked. As a result, Li passed the test and an interview, and was registered as a Class 3 Fire Service Installation Contractor in November 1997.

Cheng had been appointed an interview board member in July 1996, and copied a set of questions and model answers for Li. Cheng was aware Li would supply the questions and answers to other applicants.