A mahjong school operator has been sentenced to three months jail, suspended for 18 months, and fined $20,000 for trying to bribe two Television & Entertainment Licensing Authority officers.

Lo Woon-tong, 71, operator of Tin Shing Mahjong & Tin Kau Entertainment, was today convucted of one count of offering an advantage.

The tenancy agreement of the premises occupied by Tin Shing in Wu Pak Street, Aberdeen, expired in May 2005. The defendant found another premises in Aberdeen Main Road to continue his business, and signed a tenancy agreement with the landlord the following month.

In July 2005 he defendant submitted an application for a new licence for Tin Shing. After site visits and an opinion survey, he was informed that his application would likely be turned down, as the new premises was close to churches and schools, and there was strong objection from the local community.

Upon the defendant's request, a Licensing Officer met him on September 23 in the presence of his supervisor. When the defendant was asked if he had any new grounds for the authority to further consider his application, he took out an envelope containing four to five Mark Six lottery tickets and left it on the desk. The officers told the defendant to take the envelope back, to which he complied.

Before leaving, the defendant wished for "miracles" in his application, and that he would not forget the officers even if they transferred to other departments. He took out the envelope again and attempted to leave it on the desk, but was told to take it away.