Former Detective Police Constable Lai Chi-ming, wanted by the Independent Commission Against Corrupton for 22 years, has been jailed 22 months by the District Court for taking $25,000 in bribes from a woman charged by Police for performing an illegal abortion.

Lai, 55, pleaded guilty to two counts of accepting an advantage.

In November 1983, he and his team probed the death of a woman, on whom an illegal abortion had been performed. A female suspect was arrested. Lai said he could "assist" her case and she gave him $25,000.

In July 1984, Lai's corrupt acts were exposed and the case was reported to the ICAC. He was arrested and charged for allegedly committing bribery offences, but failed to appear in court to face trial. A warrant was issued for his arrest in September 1984.

Lai was arrested at Lo Wu check point on his attempt to enter Hong Kong from the Mainland last November.