A former policeman has been convicted by Kowloon City Magistracy of accepting free accommodation at a flat in Macau from a suspect.

Retired Detective Station Sergeant So Hoi-chuen, 55, was found guilty on one count of accepting advantages. In the same trial, Ngan Chun-ming, 45, the subject of a Police investigation, was also convicted of one count of offering advantages. Magistrate Douglas Yau adjourned sentencing to March 4, pending background reports. The defendants were remanded in custody.

So became acquainted with Ngan in 2001 while he was on bail for a suspected criminal damage case investigated by So's unit. In March 2003, Ngan was again arrested by So's unit for suspected unlawful assembly. On two occasions in July 2003, So met Ngan to obtain information on two wounding cases.

On September 1, 2003, Ngan told So that on the latter's behalf, he had settled the first two months rent and commission for a Macau flat. So then told Ngan that the occupancy for the premises would last for six months, and it was agreed that Ngan would pay the rent. The free accommodation was a reward for So to treat Ngan favourably.

The meeting was covertly monitored by the Independent Commission Against Corruption. While evidence obtained from the surveillance was challenged by the defence during the trial, the magistrate ruled it admissible.