Eastern Magistracy has jailed a construction and engineering company partner eight months for offering an advantage to a Highways Department inspector.

Magistrate Joseph To said Ying Fung Construction & Engineering partner Lau Wah-hing, 46, was convicted upon circumstantial evidence well-prepared by the prosecution.

In 2002, the department awarded a $240-million road maintenance contract to a contractor, which subcontracted part of the works to Ying Fung.

Lau lent a car to a department inspector, who was assigned to supervise Ying Fung's works, for at least 235 days between April 2003 and October 2004. The inspector was arrested by Police in October 2004 for driving while his licence was suspended.