R. v. CHEUNG HOK KEUNG

No. 587 of 1995
(Criminal)

IN THE COURT OF APPEAL

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J U D G M E N T

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Bewley, J.: (delivering the judgment of the court)

1. The applicant pleaded guilty to one charge of attempted arson before Deputy Judge Remedios in the District Court. He was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment but now appeals only against conviction.

2. His grounds, if they may be described as such, appear in his unsuccessful application for Legal Aid. This is a rambling and confused account of his life and criminal career in Hong Kong. They disclose no grounds upon which this conviction may properly be set aside.

3. The applicant was represented by counsel in the court below. The facts of the case were read to and admitted by him. These disclose that, in the reception hall of the Hongkong & Shanghai Bank in San Po Kong, he tried to light a pile of newspapers soaked in kerosene, but fortunately they failed to ignite.

4. The applicant has a history of mental illness and counsel suggested in the court below that it was a suicide attempt. The applicant today says he is not suffering from mental illness. There being no grounds to set aside his conviction, we are satisfied that the application should be dismissed.