A former Deloitte information technology manager has been jailed for 22 months for stealing 423 laptops worth HK$1.2 million (US$153,000) from the accounting firm’s Hong Kong office to fund his stock trading addiction.

The District Court sentenced Ho Man-kit, 40, on Friday after he pleaded guilty earlier this month to a count of theft for misappropriating Lenovo computers and selling them to an electronics recycler between September 2021 and February 2023.

Deputy Judge Minnie Wat Lai-man said the defendant had abused his employer’s trust over a long period and was unable to compensate the company because he had lost all the illegal proceeds through unsuccessful stock trading.

But Wat found reasons to impose a lighter sentence, highlighting Ho’s willingness to take responsibility, his difficulties in finding a new job due to mental health issues and the limited impact the case had on Deloitte’s reputation.

She also noted that the defendant was unlikely to reoffend and had strong support from family members who persuaded him not to commit suicide after his crime was exposed.

Ho’s deception came to light after an IT engineer discovered a shortfall of 399 laptops at Deloitte’s office at Cityplaza in Quarry Bay on February 13, 2023.