A Correctional Services officer has been jailed for four years for soliciting and accepting advantages from a prisoner for helping him apply for early release.

Lee Yee-tak, 51, was earlier convicted of two counts of public servant soliciting an advantage, and one of public servant accepting an advantage.

In sentencing, District Court Deputy Judge Sham Siu-man reprimanded the defendant for showing no remorse throughout the trial. In view of the serious bribery offences and the substantial amount of money involved, the court had to mete out a deterrent sentence, the judge added.

Lee was found guilty of soliciting $300,000 from a Stanley Prison inmate on January 10 as a reward for helping the prisoner apply for early release.

Lee later repeated his request, and offered to reduce the amount to $200,000. He asked the prisoner for $200,000 again on January 30.