Mainland tourist fined HK$10,000 over Disney thefts
SingTao · 2 SOURCESabout 4 hours ago5 MIN
Summary
A 43-year-old mainland Chinese man visiting Hong Kong was fined HK$10,000 after pleading guilty at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts to nine counts of theft linked to Hong Kong Disneyland. The defendant, Chow Chiu (周超), who reported his occupation as a teacher, admitted stealing 75 items including headbands, plush toys, handbags, card holders and keychains worth HK$12,905. The offences took place on August 31 at nine shops inside Hong Kong Disneyland on Fantasy Road, Lantau Island, and the goods belonged to Hong Kong International Theme Parks Limited. Magistrate Chan Wai-man said the case was serious because the thefts were committed at different locations before imposing the fine.
Key Points
- Chow Chiu, 43, described in court as a teacher, pleaded guilty on September 1 to nine theft charges at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts.
- The court heard he stole 75 merchandise items, including headbands, plush toys, handbags, card holders and keychains, worth HK$12,905 in total.
- Prosecutors said the thefts were committed on August 31 across nine separate shops inside Hong Kong Disneyland on Fantasy Road, Lantau Island.
- The stolen property belonged to Hong Kong International Theme Parks Limited, and the defence said all of the goods were recovered.
- Defence mitigation said Chow had taught in mainland China for about 10 years, had been unemployed for two months, and offended out of greed.
Why It Matters
The case underlines that shop theft involving multiple locations inside a major tourist attraction can still draw criminal convictions and financial penalties even when the defendant pleads guilty and the goods are recovered. For Hong Kong readers, it is also a reminder that offences committed during short visits by tourists are handled through the local courts in the same way as other theft cases.