R. v. LAI SHE HUNG

THE COURT OF APPEAL

1992, No. 498
(Criminal)

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J U D G M E N T

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Litton, J.A.:

1. This is an application for leave to appeal against sentence imposed by the District Court on 20 November 1992 on four charges: one of managing a vice establishment, one of permitting a girl under the age of 16 to be on the premises for the purposes of prostitution and two of knowingly living on the earnings of prostitution. The judge passed concurrent sentences of 21 months in all. The starting point which the judge took in this case was two years. He had very carefully analysed the facts for the case. He adverted to the fact that the girls were willing victims and offered themselves for prostitution. He had considered all the relevant factors and whilst it might be said that the starting point of two years was on the upper end of the scale, in no way can it be said to be manifestly excessive. There are no grounds whatever in our judgment for interfering with the sentence. The application must therefore be refused.