An engineer who picked up HKD500,000 in the “Great Christmas Eve Mad Dash for Cash” has told a Hong Kong court that he took the money because he thought it was a Christmas giveaway.
So Kam-Cheung, 46, pleaded guilty to one count of theft at Eastern Court yesterday, admitting he took money from Gloucester Road in Wan Chai after a G4S security van inexplicably bust its load on Dec. 24 last year.
Unlike most of the others filmed and photographed scrambling in the road for the cash, however, So apparently lined up thinking it was an organised giveaway.
Hongkongers: we know how to queue!
According to So’s lawyer – who explained that his client suffers from poor social skills, anxiety and attention deficit disorder – So didn’t even realise it was real money until he got the bundle home.
The SCMP reports how So wept and bowed his head repeatedly throughout yesterday’s hearing.
The court, however, heard that the electronics engineer deposited the money in a mainland bank account and did not give it up until three days after he was arrested.
He has been remanded in custody until his sentencing on Aug.10.
In total HKD15.23 million was spilled onto the road in Wan Chai. Police say HKD7.92 million has so far been returned by 46 people.
Photo: Andy Rio Felders
Got a tip? Send it to us at hongkong@coconuts.co.
