A man was fined $8,000 at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (February 21) for contravening the Clubs (Safety of Premises) Ordinance and the Karaoke Establishments Ordinance.

     The court heard that in July last year, the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA) of the Home Affairs Department inspected a club on Lockhart Road, Causeway Bay, which had been operating with a certificate of compliance (CoC). 

      OLA officers posed as customers and patronised the club for drinks without being asked to show their membership status or being invited to join the club as members. Also, the club's staff failed to show the registered drawings upon the OLA officers' request. Conditions 17 and 19 of the CoC were breached.

      Furthermore, the club was found to operate karaoke activities. According to the OLA's records, the club did not possess a valid permit or licence as required under the Karaoke Establishments Ordinance on the day of inspection.

     The man, being the CoC holder, was charged with contravening section 21(2) of the Clubs (Safety of Premises) Ordinance and section 4(1) of the Karaoke Establishments Ordinance.

      A spokesman for the department reminded all CoC holders to comply with the conditions as stipulated therein. Enforcement action will continue to be taken against illegal club operations. Also, operating or managing a karaoke establishment without a valid permit or licence is a criminal offence. Upon conviction, first-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine at level five and six months' imprisonment. The spokesman appealed to the public with information about suspected unlicensed karaoke establishments to report it to the OLA by the hotline (Tel: 2881 7498).

Ends/Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Issued at HKT 18:12

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