Chinese University of Hong Kong student attempted burglary to ease financial woes

A Chinese University student was given a one-year jail term, suspended for three years, after breaking into a peer's dormitory room to steal her possessions to solve his financial problems.

Passing sentence, District Judge Sham Siu-man said: "Life is not always smooth, and there will be difficult times. [Crime] will not solve the difficulties."

Vincent Kong Wai-tik, a 20-year-old Japanese studies student, pleaded guilty to one count of burglary. He submitted a handful of mitigation letters, including one from Chinese University's vice chancellor Professor Joseph Sung Jao-yiu, praising his academic performance.

Sham said Kong was from a broken family and his father had previously been jailed for a drug-related offence.

He said it was commendable Kong achieved outstanding results despite his family background, and regarded the offence as "momentary stupidity".

The court heard that at about 12.10am on March 21 this year, Fanny Fu Ka-wing and her roommate returned to Chinese University's International House and saw Kong attempting to climb through their window. Prosecutor Chan Tin-lok said half of his body was inside the room.