Hong Kong ‘super bus fan’ jailed 2 years for ‘childish’ double-decker joyride and stolen KMB items
Judge reprimands Kwok Chun-ting, 21, who stole bus plates and charts with two other enthusiasts so he could display them in another decommissioned bus he owns
A “super bus fan” who took a Hong Kong double-decker for a joyride and stole items such as route plates and itinerary charts was sentenced to two years in jail on Friday by a judge who described him as “extremely childish”.
Kwok Chun-ting, 21, earlier admitted teaming up with two other bus enthusiasts to burgle three stations in Tuen Mun in the early hours of February 12, 2017. They took over a bus and drove it to the stations to steal 30 bus route plates, as well as 27 pages of detailed bus itineraries usually displayed inside vehicles or at stops.
On Wednesday, Kwok pleaded guilty at the District Court to three counts of conspiracy to burgle. His lawyer had said in mitigation that his client was a “super bus fan” and committed the crime out of his passion for the vehicles.
‘Super bus fan’ and friends took KMB double-decker for joyride, stealing route plates and charts, Hong Kong court hears
Sentencing Kwok on Friday, Deputy Judge Don So Man-lung chided the young man for being “extremely childish”.
“On the day you turned 21 ... you went to these three places to steal plastic signs and itineraries worth no money,” he said.
On the day you turned 21 ... you went to all these places to steal plastic signs and itineraries worth no money
The court heard that the trio later hid their stolen items – all property of bus company KMB – in another decommissioned double-decker that Kwok had bought with some others.
So slammed Kwok for resorting to burglary just so he could display authentic plates and charts in the decommissioned vehicle. “This is stupid,” the judge said, adding that Kwok could have just printed the signs or duplicated them through other means.
So said the case was serious because it was organised crime, but added that Kwok received a lighter sentence, considering the stolen items were unique and unlike highly prized valuables pinched in typical break-ins at luxury homes.
The 30 bus plates the three men stole included those for routes X33 and N60, prosecutors said.
Kwok’s two accomplices, Marco Yiu Ho-yin and Chan Ho-yin, are expected to face trial in July, with a preliminary hearing scheduled later this month.
According to prosecutor Ivan Shiu, the three met online a few years before the offence. At the time, Yiu and Chan were working for KMB and Kwok was an ex-employee.
Teenagers plead guilty to stealing bus route plates
Shiu said the trio arrived at 1.30am on February 12 last year and waited at the Siu Hong Court Bus Terminus in Tuen Mun for staff to leave. Chan then allegedly cut the door lock of the bus office, and they stole the items inside.
Yiu went to a nearby bus station to drive a double-decker bus over and pick up his accomplices.
They then proceeded to Leung King Estate Bus Terminus and Tuen Mun Station Public Transport Interchange for more break-ins, Shiu added.
He said the three men hid the stolen items in a decommissioned bus parked at an open area in Tsz Tin Tsuen. That vehicle was bought by Kwok and six other friends, according to Kwok’s lawyer.
