[24/9/2008]

A former teacher of a primary school, charged by the ICAC, was today (Tuesday) sentenced to 20 months' imprisonment at the District Court for deceiving over $700,000 from a number of parents in relation to applications for admission of their children to the school.

Jacqueline Lau Fung-yan, 37, a former teacher of Diocesan Preparatory School, earlier pleaded guilty to six counts of fraud and two of attempted fraud.

In sentencing, Deputy Judge Rickie Chan Kam-cheong said a custodial sentence was imposed on the defendant as she had committed serious offences.

The judge added that the defendant's offences constituted a serious breach of trust, as she had taken advantage of parents' expectations of their children's bright future at the school to exploit money from them.

The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above offences.

The court heard that at the time of the offences, the defendant was responsible for handling applications and enquiries from parents.

On four occasions between July 13 and 17 last year, the defendant falsely represented to a parent that he could show his sincerity by making payments to the school; and that the payments would be refunded to him irrespective of the outcome of the application for admission of his son to the school. With intent to defraud, the defendant induced the parent to give her a total of $580,000.

The defendant also made similar false representations to two other parents, inducing them to pay her $20,000 and $30,000 respectively.

The court also heard that one of the above parents became suspicious when the defendant attempted to solicit another $70,000 from him.

On July 20 last year, the defendant met the parent at a restaurant. The defendant was arrested by ICAC officers after accepting the $70,000 marked money from the parent.

Two days before the arrest, the defendant also attempted to induce another parent to give her a sum of money for the same reason, the court was told.

The school management had rendered full assistance in the ICAC investigation.

The prosecution was today represented by Senior Public Prosecutor Ada Chan, assisted by ICAC officer Joey Lee.