2005-09-06 19:34 A man aged 46 was sentenced at the District Court today (September 6) to four and a half years' imprisonment upon the conviction of seven counts of obtaining property by deception earlier. The court heard that between December 1992 and January 1993, the man used dishonoured cheques to defraud gold suppliers. The man, who is a Macanese, came to Hong Kong in the 1980s and operated a goldsmith shop in the Western District. During the offence period, the man purchased a large quantity of gold from five suppliers. He used post-dated cheques amounting $14 million for payment. The cheques were subsequently dishonoured and the goldsmith shop was closed. The man has departed Hong Kong for Macau. The man returned to Hong Kong in April this year and he was arrested upon arrival. He was subsequestly charged and brought to District Court for criminal proceedings. He pleaded guilty and he was convicted of his seven charges on August 29. The sentences were meted out today. |