HK businessman sentenced to 18 months in jail for perverting course of justice

Former vice chairman of Hong Kong-listed company Pearl Oriental Oil Lew Mon-hung was sentenced to 18 months in jail for perverting the course of justice by Hong Kong District Court on Monday.

Lew, 67, was accused of writing emails and letters to Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying and head of the region's graft-buster Peh Yun-lu in 2013, threatening them to stop probing a fraud case relating to Pearl Oriental Oil in which he was being investigated. Lew was acquitted of the fraud case in May 2015.

The judge ruled Monday that Lew used threatening words in the mails, with the intention to ask the receivers to stop the probe. Lew was found guilty of perverting the course of justice and sentenced to 18 months in jail.

Lew said he will lodge an appeal against his conviction.