A 75-year-old Singaporean man, Leong How Seng, has received an 11-year prison sentence in Hong Kong for robbery and attempted robbery. Despite his age, the severity of the crimes prompted the High Court to deliver a substantial sentence.
The Crimes Unfold
Leong’s legal troubles began with an incident on 14 April 2022, when he entered the China Construction Bank in Kowloon. He presented a note that threatened violence, stating, “We have a gun, put the money into the bag quickly…” He brandished what turned out to be an air gun and made off with approximately HK$14,000 (around S$2,400).
Just a few months earlier, on 1 July 2022, Leong attempted to rob a pharmacy in Mong Kok. Using a note that read, “If you want to live, give me your money, or I will burn you to death with gasoline,” he threatened a cashier while holding a lighter and a bottle of clear liquid. However, the cashier remained calm and Leong fled empty-handed.
Background and Motivation
According to reports, Leong had overstayed his visa in Hong Kong since moving there in 2007, and his life quickly deteriorated. Financial issues compounded by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic left him in dire straits. He was living off assistance from a girlfriend he met after relocating but faced mounting debts.
- Leong’s financial troubles were exacerbated by the 2019 protests in Hong Kong.
- He lost contact with his wife after moving to Hong Kong.
- After the robbery, he reportedly spent part of the stolen money on personal debts.
The Court’s Decision
Judge Douglas Yau Tak-hong, who presided over the case, indicated that such crimes required a serious response. While Leong’s advanced age and health issues were taken into account, the nature of the offences warranted a lengthy prison term.
The court noted that robbery often leads to serious consequences for bystanders, hence the substantial sentence. Though Leong pleaded guilty, his actions are likely to have lingering ramifications.
Robbery is a serious offence in Hong Kong, and with the law imposing sentences of up to life imprisonment, the framing of Leong’s sentence underscores the gravity of his actions.