| Australian champion jockey convicted in tips-for-bets scam in HK |
HONG KONG, Mar 1 (AP) -- A Hong Kong court convicted Australian champion jockey Chris Munce of taking bribes in a tips-for-bets scandal Thursday.
Judge Kevin Browne gave his verdict in the District Court, ending a case that has made headlines in Hong Kong and Australia.
The former Melbourne Cup winner was accused of offering racing tips to a Hong Kong businessman, who placed bets for Munce and relayed the winnings to the jockey, the prosecution said during the trial.
Munce, 37, was arrested on July 3, 2006, after meeting with businessman Andy Lau at a hotel. The jockey was found carrying a betting slip and HK$250,000 (US$31,994; €24,354.11) in cash stuffed in his jeans pockets, prosecution said.
Munce has won many of the biggest races on the Australian calendar, including the 1998 Melbourne Cup on Jezabeel, and Golden Slipper races on Prowl in 1998 and Dance Hero in 2004.
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