A former property agent who left urine-contaminated soft drinks in several Hong Kong supermarkets has been spared jail after a court accepted that he deserved a second chance in light of his remorse and personal circumstances.
Kowloon City Court on Tuesday adopted a probation officer’s recommendation to place retiree Franklin Lo Kim-ngai on probation for a year, with conditions including regular psychiatric and psychological follow-up and participation in rehabilitation activities.
The 63-year-old defendant last month admitted to planting Coca-Cola Plus and 7-Up drinks spiked with his urine in seven Wellcome and ParknShop outlets across the city between July 2024 and August last year.
Lo had lost emotional support from his family after his parents’ deaths and separation from his ex-wife and son, who stopped contacting him after emigrating, according to the defence.
The defendant, who previously had a clear record, had hoped to play a “prank” and cause trouble for Wellcome employees after a quarrel with them, the court heard.
Before Lo’s arrest, Swire Coca-Cola had received reports about the discovery of urine-contaminated soft drinks at multiple Wellcome and ParknShop outlets.
A nine-year-old boy felt unwell after consuming a bottle of Coca-Cola Plus from the Wellcome branch at Mong Kok’s Union Park Centre on July 18, 2025. He was sent to hospital for treatment but was discharged the same day without lasting symptoms.
Further investigation revealed Lo had visited the supermarkets and put the contaminated drinks on the shelves.
After his arrest on August 9, Lo said he broke the law because Wellcome staff made him unhappy.
He pleaded guilty last month to a count of administering a noxious substance with intent to injure and a second of attempting to commit the offence. The crime is punishable by up to three years in jail under the Offences Against the Person Ordinance.
Presentencing psychiatric and psychological assessments attributed Lo’s offences to his inability to manage stress and negative emotions, as doctors recommended long-term outpatient follow-up treatment rather than hospitalisation.
A probation officer at the Social Welfare Department recommended probation for the accused but said he should not be ordered to perform community service given his unstable moods.
A duty lawyer representing Lo said on Tuesday the defendant was genuinely remorseful and realised he could not coerce others into accepting his views.
Magistrate Andrew Mok Tze-chung said the offences were serious, but accepted the probation officer’s advice, taking into account Lo’s guilty plea and previous clear record.
“You disregarded the consequences of your very naive acts. I’m very curious why a person of your age would commit these offences,” Mok told the defendant.
Lo, who had been denied bail since he first appeared in court in August, must maintain regular contact with his probation officer and take part in rehabilitative programmes as instructed, failing which he could be sentenced to jail.
The Hong Kong Beverage Association said in a statement it would provide full support if any member organisation encountered similar incidents in the future.
The association called on consumers to remain alert and check whether the seals of packaged drink products were damaged before purchase. -- SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
