Three contractors, an electrical engineer and a plumber have been jailed for conspiracy to defraud in relation to applications for registration as fire service installation contractors.

They were today found guilty at Kowloon City Magistracy of three counts of conspiracy to defraud the Fire Services Department. Magistrate Sham Siu-man said the offences put public safety at risk.

Li Yu-kun, 47, a fire service installation contractor, received 30 months, while Tai Yuen-ming, 42, a licensed plumber, was jailed for 24 months. Chau Ping-wah, 44, an electrical engineer, Leung Kai-pong, 36, and Tang Wing-chuen, 46, both fire service installation contractors, were each sentenced to 18 months. Tai, Chau and Tang made applications for bail pending their appeals, but they were rejected.

One of the charges stated Li and Chau conspired together and with others to defraud the department. They dishonestly represented that Chau and two others were fulltime employees of an engineering company in its application for registration as a fire service installation contractor. As a result of the false representation, the department was induced to approve the application of the company.

Li, Tai and Leung faced a similar charge, while Li, Tai and Tang faced another similar charge. The offences occurred between July 1997 and August 2002.