Teresa Cheng's Husband Found Guilty In Pool Case

The husband of Justice Secretary Teresa Cheng has been fined HK$20,000 for building a swimming pool at his house without government approval.

Otto Poon, who’s 78 and a veteran engineer, was convicted of violating the Buildings Ordinance.

Acting Chief Magistrate So Wai-tak said the pool should be considered to be building work because it was unlikely that the pool would be shifted from its position.

The judge said although the pool wasn’t fixed to the ground and wasn’t attached to any water supply or drainage system, he didn't think Poon would ever have moved it ... considering that the pool was “intended for aquatic exercise” and relocating it would involve “re-servicing costs”.

Handing down his verdict at West Kowloon Magistrates' Court, the magistrate added that the pool weighs a “substantial amount” and he believes it had become “an integral part of the garden landscape” of Poon’s house.

The pool was removed last year after officials inspected the grounds.

Poon didn’t appear in court for the verdict and his lawyer said he was in hospital with a serious medical condition.

In mitigation, Poon's lawyer said his client is a pioneer in the engineering sector and has served many positions in the public service.

The lawyer said a fine would be most appropriate because he thinks the case wasn’t a “deliberate intent” of Otto Poon ”but at most, a mistake”.

The trial came after an unauthorised building works scandal engulfed the justice minister and her husband when she took up the position early last year.

In December last year, authorities announced that there wasn't enough evidence to pursue a case against Cheng over a series of unauthorised projects uncovered at her luxury home in Tuen Mun, including a large basement, a rooftop structure, a ground floor extension and a garden deck.

But they decided to prosecute Poon, who owns the house next door, over the swimming pool.

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