*******************************************************
A man was today (January 24) jailed for one month and put on probation for a year for operating a guesthouse in Causeway Bay without a certificate of exemption or a licence.
Kowloon City Magistrates' Court heard that officers of the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA), Home Affairs Department, received complaints about unlicensed guesthouse operations at premises in Kingston Street, Causeway Bay, and subsequently issued a warning letter to the guesthouse operator for immediate cessation of its operation.
An investigation team, disguised as customers, reserved a room at the guesthouse during an undercover operation in June, 2006. Two rooms furnished with sleeping and shower facilities were found on the premises.
The premises did not posses a valid certificate of exemption or a licence. The guesthouse operator was subsequently charged for contravening Section 5 of the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance.
A department spokesman stressed that it was a criminal offence to operate or manage an unlicensed guesthouse and enforcement action would continue to be taken against them to ensure the safety of lodgers. He also appeals to people to report unlicensed guesthouses to the OLA on 2881 7498.
Ends/Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Issued at HKT 16:25
NNNN
