FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1981
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TIGHTER CONTROL OVER ILLEGAL GAMBLING PROPOSED
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THE GOVERNMENT IS PROPOSING TWO CHANGES TO THE LAW TO TIGHTEN CONTROL OVER ILLEGAL GAMBLING IN HONG KONG.
UNDER THE GAMBLING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1981 PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY), ANYONE FOUND IN POSSESSION OF ONE OR MORE BETTING SLIPS WOULD BE PRESUMED TO HAVE POSSESSED THEM TO ASSIST ANOTHER PERSON IN BOOKMAK ING.
THIS IS INTENDED TO DEAL WITH ILLEGAL OFF-COURSE BETTING OPERATORS WHO, TO AVOID POLICE DETECTION AND PROSECUTION, RELY HEAVILY NOW ON RUNNERS TO RECEIVE CASH PAYMENT IN ADVANCE FROM KNOWN CUSTOMERS.
THE OTHER LEGISLATIVE CHANGE PROPOSED APPLIES TO CASES WHERE POLICE OFFICERS ON ANTI-ILLEGAL GAMBLING RAIDS ARE OBSTRUCTED OR DELAYED IN ENTERING THE GAMBLING PLACE. IN SUCH INSTANCES, ANY MONEY OR OTHER PROPERTY FOUND IN THE PLACE OR ON ANY PERSON AT THAT PLACE WOULD BE PRESUMED TO HAVE BEEN USED IN CONNECTION WITH ILLEGAL GAMBLING.
THIS MEASURE IS AIMED AT THOSE ILLEGAL GAMBLERS AND OPERATORS WHO HOLD OFF THE POLICE IN ORDER TO POCKET OR CONCEAL GAMBLING MONEY AND EQUIPMENT, AND AVOID BEING REQUIRED BY THE COURT TO HAVE THEM FORFEITED.
PROPOSAL TO EXTEND REMAND PERIOD
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THE MAXIMUM PERIOD FOR WHICH A MAGISTRATE CAN REMAND AN ACCUSED PERSON IN CUSTODY, ON TRANSFERRING THE CASE TO THE DISTRICT COURT, MAY BE EXTENDED TO 20 DAYS UNDER A MAGISTRATES (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1981 PUBLISHED TODAY (FRIDAY) IN THE GAZETTE.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT AN ACCUSED PERSON CAN USE THE REMAND PERIOD TO APPLY FOR AND OBTAIN LEGAL AID OR ENGAGE HIS OWN LAWYER, THE CROWN ALSO PREPARES A SUMMARY OF FACTS OF THE CASE WHICH IS MADE AVAILABLE TO THE DEFENCE LAWYER PRIOR TO THE FIRST DISTRICT COURT HEARING.
AT PRESENT, THE MAXIMUM REMAND PERIOD IS EIGHT CLEAR DAYS, UNLESS THE ACCUSED PERSON AND THE PROSECUTOR AGREE TO A LONGER PERIOD.
EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN THAT THIS IS INADEQUATE TO ENSURE THAT ACCUSED PERSONS ARE LEGALLY REPRESENTED, FULLY INFORMED AND PROPERLY ADVISED BEFORE MAKING THE IR PLEAS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE ACTUAL PERIOD OF REMAND WILL STILL BE DETERMINED BY THE MAGISTRATE, HE ADDED.
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