HKSAR v. HUI MIU HING

IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE

HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION

COURT OF APPEAL

1997, No.612
(Criminal)

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J U D G M E N T

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Power, V.-P. (giving the judgment of the Court):

1. The applicant pleaded guilty before Deputy Judge Wesley Wong to one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. It was charged that she, on 2nd January 1997, outside ground floor of Grand Tower Hotel, Nathan Road, trafficked in 218.96 grammes of a mixture containing 189.96 grammes of heroin hydrochloride. She was seen outside the hotel acting in a nervous way and stopped by the police. Her handbag was searched and the dangerous drugs, subject of the charge, were found therein in 11 transparent plastic bags.

2. She advances no written ground other than to say that the term of imprisonment was excessive and has today, when addressing us, said that is so because of her family commitments, particularly the three children who have only an elderly mother to look after them. These matters arouse sympathy but are not matters that can properly be taken into account when dealing with an offence of this kind. Dealing in a dangerous drugs is a terrible and destructive offence. The judge carefully calculated the sentence in accordance with the appropriate guidelines and it was an entirely proper one.

3. The application must be dismissed.