THE QUEEN v. IKBAL HOSSAIN

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF HONG KONG

(Appellate Jurisdiction)

MAGISTRACY APPEAL NO.1245 OF 1995

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J U D G M E N T

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1. This was an appeal against a total sentence of 12 months imposed for using an unlawfully obtained travel document and making a false representation to an Immigration Officer. The sentences passed were 12 months for each offence, to be served concurrently.

2. Mr Macrae who appeared on the appeal submitted that the Magistrate should not have followed the authority of R. v. Javed Asif and Another, M.A. No.1770 of 1990, a decision of Wong J. but should have followed the authority of R. v. Bhagwant Singh-Padda, M.A. No.1447 of 1988, a decision of Bewley J. I agreed. He submitted that the Appellant fell into the fourth category of offenders as set out by Bewley J. in that decision, which suggested that a sentence of nine months should be the proper sentence. It was not there stated whether that was nine months after trial or nine months after plea. I was of the view that as this had become a very much more prevalent offence since that decision, that a sentence of nine months after plea would be a proper sentence. I therefore reduced the sentence in this case from 12 months to nine months and the appeal was allowed accordingly.