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141. We received mitigation letters from her husband, former senior government officials and many others. They all asked for a lenient sentence be passed on D17.
142. In our judgment, the role of D17 in the Scheme was that of an active participant. She agreed that if she were successfully elected into the LegCo, she would veto the Budgets indiscriminately with others in pursuant to the Scheme.
143. Based on the role of D17 in the Scheme, 7 years (84 months) would be adopted as the starting point.
144. We gave 3 months reduction each for her ignorance of the law and her past public service as evidenced by the mitigation letters placed before us. D17 was convicted after trial. We could see no other effective mitigating factor.
145. In conclusion, for the offence D17 stands convicted, she is sentenced to 6 years and 6 months’ (78 months) imprisonment.
D18 Lau Chak-fung
146. D18 is now aged 28, he was the former chairman of the Hong Kong Federation of Students (“HKFS”). He identified himself as a political amateur and a member of the local resistance camp. He has a clear criminal record.
147. Ms. Catherine Wong, together with Ms. Christy Chak, counsel for D18 submitted that D18 was not a principal offender or a person who had committed an offence of a grave nature. D18 did not
