Lisa Kuo has pleaded guilty to the first summons relating to unauthorised works at York Road, Kowloon, the Department of Justice says.

In response to media enquiries today, it said two summonses were laid against her with respect to the one matter because of an amendment to the offence provision with an additional element of knowledge.

The first summons covered the period from August 26, 2005, to December 30, 2010, and the second covered December 31, 2010, to February 16, 2012, being after the amendment.

It was alleged that Ms Kuo committed one offence of commencing the construction of a basement with two skylight openings at 7 York Road, without first having obtained from the Buildings Department approval and consent in writing.

The evidence established that the building works were started and conducted after August 26, 2005, but before December 30, 2010, hence the plea of guilty to the first summons for the period between August 26, 2005, and December 30, 2010, and why the other summons will not be proceeded with.

It said it is wrong to say that the second summons is more serious and it should be noted that the offence only relates to the single unauthorised works of a basement with two skylight openings at 7 York Road, which commenced and were carried out at a time after August 26, 2005, and before December 30, 2010.

The penalty is the same for each of the two summonses even though the offence provision was amended on December 31, 2010.