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Ex-sergeant who stole colleague's credit cards to buy iPhones once thought of suicide, court told
A 36-year-old ex-sergeant who stole a colleague's credit card twice to buy three iPhones told the District Court on Friday that he once thought of committing suicide together with his son.
Johnny Lau Chun-ning earlier pleaded guilty to six counts of theft and obtaining property through deception in the District Court.
Lau stole two Hang Seng Bank credit cards that belonged to his colleague Leung Lok-lun between February 11 and 25 in 2019. He first spent HK$11 at a McDonald's outlet at Good Hope Building in Mong Kok on February 28, 2019, and then bought three iPhone XSs in the Apple Store in New Town Plaza in Sha Tin and the one on Canton Road in Tsim Sha Tsui between February 26 and March 2 in 2019.
In mitigation, the defense said Lau was stressed by the medical bill for his father, who sustained an injury during work, as well as the promotion to the position of sergeant. Lau committed the crime because he failed to handle pressure properly and refused help from others, the defense continued.
The defense added that Lau once bought charcoal and put it in the car, trying to commit suicide together with his son. He only gave up on the idea when he realized his son was innocent.
The defense hoped the court would allow Lau to serve all his sentences concurrently and suspend his sentences as an exceptional case.
Lau will be sentenced next Thursday (December 23).
Lau admitted to the summary of facts that he first stole credit card A from Leung's locker and used the card twice in the McDonald's as a trial. After Leung got the replacement credit card B, Lau stole the new card and put the old card back into Leung's wallet.
Lau then again used credit card B in McDonald's before buying three iPhone XSs in two Apple Stores. Leung found out someone was using credit card B and deactivated the new card. Lau later exchanged the deactivated credit card B for the original card A.
Lau stole two Hang Seng Bank credit cards that belonged to his colleague Leung Lok-lun between February 11 and 25 in 2019. He first spent HK$11 at a McDonald's outlet at Good Hope Building in Mong Kok on February 28, 2019, and then bought three iPhone XSs in the Apple Store in New Town Plaza in Sha Tin and the one on Canton Road in Tsim Sha Tsui between February 26 and March 2 in 2019.
In mitigation, the defense said Lau was stressed by the medical bill for his father, who sustained an injury during work, as well as the promotion to the position of sergeant. Lau committed the crime because he failed to handle pressure properly and refused help from others, the defense continued.
The defense added that Lau once bought charcoal and put it in the car, trying to commit suicide together with his son. He only gave up on the idea when he realized his son was innocent.
The defense hoped the court would allow Lau to serve all his sentences concurrently and suspend his sentences as an exceptional case.
Lau will be sentenced next Thursday (December 23).
Lau admitted to the summary of facts that he first stole credit card A from Leung's locker and used the card twice in the McDonald's as a trial. After Leung got the replacement credit card B, Lau stole the new card and put the old card back into Leung's wallet.
Lau then again used credit card B in McDonald's before buying three iPhone XSs in two Apple Stores. Leung found out someone was using credit card B and deactivated the new card. Lau later exchanged the deactivated credit card B for the original card A.
