NOTE
on the
legal and practical position
of
brothels in Hong Kong.
40
1.
At common law it is a misdemeanour, punishable
on indictment, to keep a brothe 1.
The maximum penalty for
this in Hong Kong is three years imprisonment, or a fine of
$1000, or both imprisonment and fine. I have never heard
of an instance of such an indictment in Hong Kong.
2.
Under Ordinance No.1 of 1845, section 6 (5),
it is a summary offence to keep a house for the occupation
or resort of public prostitutes, to the annoyance of any
person residing near thereto. The maximum penalty is a
fine of $250. I have never heard of a case under this
section.
3. Under Ordinance No.4 of 1897, section 12A,
on complaint before a magistrate by three householders that
a house in their immediate neighbourhood is used as a
lodging house for prostitutes or disorderly persons or as a
brothel, to the annoyance of the respectable inhabitants of
the vicinity, an order may be made on the owner or tenant to
di scontinue such use. The maximum penalty for disobedience
of the order is a fine of $15 a day. I cannot recollect
any case under this section. It was first enacted by
Ordinance No.6 of 1894. In practice, householders who wish
to complain do so to the Inspector General of Police or to
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