Solicitor Emily Ha and securities broker Ng Ting-shag have been jailed for up to 14 months by the District Court for perverting the course of justice in relation to investigations over the suspected theft of shares.

Ha, 41, was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to pervert the course of public justice and was jailed for one year. Ng, 57, pleaded guilty to nine counts of theft, and one of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. He was jailed 14 months.

In sentencing, Deputy Judge Timothy Casewell reprimanded Ha for the offence. He said Ha, as a trained lawyer, must have realised what she did amounted to perversion.

In early 2004, Ng misappropriated a client's shares. The client lodged complaints with the Securities & Futures Commission and Police, and engaged Ha as her legal representative. Between February 16 and 20, 2004, and Ha and Ng conspired to pervert the course of justice by inciting the complainant to withdraw the complaints.