XN000022-1989-10-25 — Page 17

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1989

"PROPOSALS BASED ON CRIMINAL

LAW. WHICH INCLUDED PROVISIONS FOR THE REMOVAL OF SIGNBOARDS ADVERTISING THE SERVICES OF PROSTITUTES. AND FOR A SCHEME ΤΟ CLOSE PREMISES OR FORFEIT VESSELS WHERE VICE-RELATED OFFENCES HAVE REPEATEDLY TAKEN PLACE. WERE PUBLISHED IN JULY 1988 AS A WHITE BILL FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION.

"COMMENTS RECEIVED INDICATED SUPPORT FOR THE PROPOSALS. MR BARNES SAID.

HE ADDED THAT SOME PEOPLE. HOWEVER, WERE CONCERNED THAT THE BILL DID NOT SUFFICIENTLY PROTECT "INNOCENT" LANDLORDS.

IN VIEW OF THAT, THE SCHEME TO CLOSE PREMISES OR FORFEIT VESSELS HAD BEEN REVISED TO INCLUDE A PERIOD OF GRACE OF FOUR MONTHS FOLLOWING A FIRST CONVICTION.

DURING THE GRACE PERIOD, ANY FURTHER CONVICTION RELATING ΤΟ VICE ON THE PREMISES CONCERNED WOULD NOT ACTIVATE THE CLOSURE ORDER.

"THIS WOULD ENABLE THE LANDLORD TO TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION TO PROTECT HIS PREMISES. INCLUDING EVICTING THE OFFENDING TENANTS,' HE SAID.

TURNING TO THE LEGISLATIVE FROPOSALS THEMSELVES, MR BARNES EXPLAINED CLAUSE 3 OF THE BILL AMENDED SECTION 147 OF THE CRIMES ORDINANCE TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM FINE FOR SOLICITING FOR ANY IMMORAL PURPOSE FROM $1,000 TO $10.000.

CLAUSE 4 INTRODUCED SIX NEW SECTIONS TO THE CRIMES ORDINANCE.

TO TO

SECTION 147A OF THE BILL MADE IT AN OFFENCE TO DISPLAY. OR PERMIT THE DISPLAY OF, A SIGN WHICH MIGHT REASONABLY BE UNDERSTOOD ADVERTISE THE SERVICES OF PROSTITUTE. THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR THE OFFENCE WAS A FINE OF $10,000 AND SIX MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT.

SECTIONS 147B ΤΟ 147F PROVIDED FOR THE POLICE TO REMOVE OFFENDING SIGNS. WHETHER OR NOT THE PERSON COMMITTING THE OFFENCE HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED.

CLAUSE 5 OF THE BILL INTRODUCED 12 NEW SECTIONS WHICH SET OUT THE PROCEDURE FOR THE CLOSURE ORDER SCHEME AND FOR THE FORFEITURE OF VESSELS.

SECTION 153A PROVIDED FOR PREMISES TO BE CLOSED BY THE COURTS FOR SIX MONTHS IF:

(A) A PERSON IS CONVICTED OF A SPECIFIED OFFENCE IN RELATION

TO THE PREMISES;

THE CHINESE

(B) A NOTICE RELATING TO THE CONVICTION IS AFFIXED TO

PREMISES AND PUBLISHED IN ONE ENGLISH NEWSPAPER WITHIN TWO WEEKS; AND

AND ONE

(c) A SECOND