Unlicensed guesthouse operator and keeper fined
*********************************************** A man and a woman were convicted and fined $15,000 and $8,000 respectively at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts today (September 21) for operating and managing a guesthouse in Sham Shui Po without a certificate of exemption or a licence.
The court heard that officers of the Home Affairs Department's (HAD) Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA), inspected a suspected unlicensed guesthouse in Fuk Wing Street, Sham Shui Po, in June this year.
Ten rooms, all with sleeping facilities, were found in the premises and two guests alleged that they had rented the rooms.
The man and woman, who were the operator and management personnel of the unlicensed guesthouse, were subsequently charged with contravening the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance.
An HAD spokesman stressed that it was a criminal offence to operate or manage an unlicensed guesthouse.
He said that unlicensed guesthouses would not be tolerated and enforcement action would be taken against them to ensure the safety of patrons of these establishments.
He appealed to the public to report unlicensed guesthouses to the OLA at 2881 7498.
*********************************************** A man and a woman were convicted and fined $15,000 and $8,000 respectively at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts today (September 21) for operating and managing a guesthouse in Sham Shui Po without a certificate of exemption or a licence.
The court heard that officers of the Home Affairs Department's (HAD) Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA), inspected a suspected unlicensed guesthouse in Fuk Wing Street, Sham Shui Po, in June this year.
Ten rooms, all with sleeping facilities, were found in the premises and two guests alleged that they had rented the rooms.
The man and woman, who were the operator and management personnel of the unlicensed guesthouse, were subsequently charged with contravening the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance.
An HAD spokesman stressed that it was a criminal offence to operate or manage an unlicensed guesthouse.
He said that unlicensed guesthouses would not be tolerated and enforcement action would be taken against them to ensure the safety of patrons of these establishments.
He appealed to the public to report unlicensed guesthouses to the OLA at 2881 7498.
Ends/Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Issued at HKT 15:53
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