TNAG-0555-FCO40-650-Review-of-death-sentence-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 166

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person. less.

But he was a bit too easy going and was even thought- The Prisoner wrote him in prison saying that he did not blame any one but himself for his involvement in the offence. In his letter he seemed to regret very much. Like other witnesses Mr. Ho was caught by surprise in the Prisoner's offence.

6. Mrs. Ho, aged 50 (The Prisoner's neighbour)

Mrs. Ho is a friend of the Prisoner's family and also a neighbour. She knew the Prisoner's family well. She said the Prisoner was a good boy before. He sometimes slept in her home with her sor. Ho Siu Kong. She said the boy's problem came after the parents had gone to live in Canton, leaving the Prisoner, then aged 16, and his elder brother behind. She said if the Prisoner could continue his studies at Fung Kai Secondary School and would complete the whole 5-year course he would do better in his life. Unfortunately, he had to give up schooling because his father's drug addict- ion.

INTERVIEW REPORT ON THE FRISONER

The Prisoner was interviewed in the Stanley Prison on 6.1.1975. During the course of interview he did not seem to be very tense in emotions, He was quite at ease when interviewed. He said he did not know the deceased nor the other condemned Prisoner Tsui Kwok-kin. He alleged that he had no intention of killing any body. He was asked to go to have a talk with the other party to settle a matter of compensation.

He said he was

not aware that it would develop into a fight resulting the killing of the deceased. He said he regretted very much for what he had done and wished to have his death sentence commuted to a term of imprisonment.

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SUMMARY

To sum up the above information together with what was observed during the interview with the Prisoner and the other people interviewed, it was impressed that the Prisoner is a young man coming from a poor family with a drug addicted father. The lack of parental supervision and guidance at home together with the lack of a firm identity appeared to have some bearing on his serious offence. He was said to have no undesirable habit except playing mahjong at times. Normally for a boy growing up in a rural background he should have the care and guidance of parents until adulthood. But he was singularly deprived of his opportunity in his most unfortunate circumstances. With the absence of parents for several years and having a busily working elder brother he was left with much free time on hand to associate with undesirable elements during unemployment. All the above factors together with his own ease going attitude seemed to have drifted him to crime.

Au (LEE Mok-yan)

Probation Officer

16.1.1975.