Shanghai, Jan. 24.
Woo Chung-hwa, alias Woo Kwang-ming, the vice ring chief and {ortioner well known to amusement establishments and hotels in the Louza district, was sentenced to one year and six months' imprisonment yesterday by the First Special Dis ict Court, His assistant named Zoe Lin-fu received a suspended prison term of 50 days.
Although less than 30 years old. Woo is described as a leading Agure among bad characters in the Louza district where he had been preying upon sing song houses, "girl guide" societies, hotels and scerct establishments for the past few years demand-"protection fee" from them from time to time. His notoriety recently received the attention of the police who were determined to eliminate his, menace to the Chinese pleasure-seeking community, The fact that Woo was too ambitious about two weeks ago launching what may be termed a collective extortion campaign, led to his downfall, He sent numerous written "invitations" to managers of houses of joy in the area where he has been the absolute ruler of loafers, ostensibly for the purpose of eclorating his birthday, a trick played by many crooks for collecting cash gifts. Woo might have saved the trouble of going to court had he not mentioned in his "invitations" that each "guest" should present him a $10 cash gift, He was serious and appeared to be carrying out his celebration programme in a big way by renting a big room in the Dal Lu Hotel in Vu Ya Ching Road, which was later found to be his temporary accountant office, The Louza police, however, knew how (o handle him and just atter he had collected enough cash evidence they swooped down on the chief gangster's temporary head. quarters in the hotel in time to catch him and one of his lieutenants, Indicating his strong influence In the amusement district, few. victims would venture to appear in court to testify against him. Only a Kwangs! Road "girl guide" soclely" manager did, He and his assistants were recently assaulted by the gang when he refused to ps
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