A man was fined $2,000 at the Tuen Mun Magistrates' Courts today (March 29) for contravening the Karaoke Establishments Ordinance.
The courts heard that officers from the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA) of the Home Affairs Department posed as customers and patronised a karaoke establishment on Yau Tin East Road in Yuen Long in August last year. They also found audio-visual and other devices for karaoke activity in the premises.
According to the OLA's records, the premises did not possess a valid permit or licence under the Ordinance on the day of inspection. The man responsible for managing the karaoke establishment was therefore charged with contravening section 4(1) of the Ordinance.
A department spokesman stressed that 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).
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