Filipina's fake money case elevated to District Court

 

Neighborhood where Filipina was arrested (Google Maps photo) 

A Filipina has belatedly found out that being charged with possession of 36 pieces of fake $500 notes is a major offense, after the Kowloon City court transferred her case to the District Court.

Leah Sanesteban, 44 years old and holder of a recognizance card for identity purposes, was arrested by police last July 1 on Nanking St in Yau Ma Tei.

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Found in her possession were 36 $500 bills “which were, and which she knew or believed to be counterfeits of currency notes,” according to the police conplaint dated Dec. 10.

She was charged with violation of section 100(2) of the Crimes Ordinance, which states: “A person who has in his custody or under his control, without lawful authority or excuse, any thing which is, and which he knows or believes to be, a counterfeit of a currency note or of a protected coin, commits an offense and is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for 3 years.”

PINDUTIN DITO

The ordinance also said: “For the purposes of this section it is immaterial that a coin or note is not in a fit state to be passed or tendered or that the making or counterfeiting of a coin or note has not been finished or perfected.”

No plea was taken when she appeared before Acting Principal Magistrate Ko Wai-hung last Dec. 12.

She was remanded in jail custody until her appearance at District Court on Dec. 31.'

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Under judiciary rules, a Magistrate can impose a maximum sentence of two years’ imprisonment for a single offense, and three years’ imprisonment where two or more indictable offenses are dealt with at the same time.

A magistrate may also impose a maximum fine of HK$100,000, although some Ordinances allow sentences of up to 3 years’ imprisonment and fine of up to HK$5,000,000.

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