A 52-year-old jobless man has been convicted at Tuen Mun Magistracy of attempting to solicit and accept advantages from a District Council Election candidate to secure votes.

Leung Ngar-yan was found guilty of three counts of attempting to engage in corrupt conduct at an election. Magistrate Symon Wong adjourned sentencing to March 3, pending a background report. The defendant was remanded in custody.

The court heard that at the time of the offences Wong Yu-choi, an incumbent Yuen Long District Council member, intended to stand for the 2007 District Council Election. Leung told Wong last June his chance was not good and asked him to give him money to socialise with electors, which included sponsoring meals and trips for them, and to persuade them to vote for Wong. Wong turned down the request.

Two months later Leung told Wong he had ensured 400 electors would vote for him and asked Wong for $300 each, totalling $120,000. At Leung's request for an initial payment Wong paid him marked money totalling $2,000.

The defendant was arrested after the meeting and the marked money recovered from him.