********************************************
A man was convicted and fined $2,000 at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (December 22) for managing a guesthouse in Causeway Bay without a valid certificate of exemption or a valid licence.
The court heard that officers of the Licensing Authority (OLA), Home Affairs Department, inspected the premises on Yee Wo Street, Causeway Bay, in April this year and found two signboards with information about the suspected unlicenced guesthouse outside and at the entrance of the premises.
OLA officers also found six guestrooms with sleeping accommodation on the premises and they met two guests who alleged they had rented the rooms on a daily basis.
The man, who was the manager of the unlicenced guesthouse, was 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 unlicenced guesthouse.
The spokesman stressed that unlicenced guesthouses would not be tolerated and enforcement action would be taken against them to ensure the safety of patrons of these establishments.
He also appealed to the public to report unlicenced guesthouses to the OLA at 2881 7498.
Ends/Thursday, December 22, 2005
Issued at HKT 12:11
NNNN
