Mat Yeung Sentenced to 18 Days Jail Time for DUI
Appearing in court on November 4, Mat Yeung (楊明) was convicted of driving under the influence. The 40-year-old actor was sentenced to 18 days jail time, suspension of his driving license for two years, and a fine of 3,000 Chinese yuan. Upon hearing his sentence, Mat’s eyes grew red while his girlfriend Lisa Chong (莊思明) burst into tears.
In August 2020, Mat was arrested for DUI after crashing into two curb barriers in the Mid Levels. He had refused to take the breathalyzer test and claimed he was unwell. Walking with unsteady steps, Mat had to lean onto two officers for support as he was sent to the hospital.
Judge Orders 18 Days of Jail Time
During the sentencing at Eastern Law Courts today, the judge pointed out although there was no data available on Mat’s alcohol concentration, the actor was visibly intoxicated and had completely lost control of his vehicle. Pointing out the actor’s past record of drunk driving, the judge felt that Mat disregarded the safety of other people and has not changed his conduct. The judge stated that a community service order and probation were unsuitable in this case.
The defense lawyer claimed that Mat had lost a job opportunity valued at CNY 1 million due to the trial case, but the judge said the actor “caused his own plight.”
The judge stated that the starting point for sentencing was 30 days of jail time. Given the actor’s petition that he was the breadwinner in the household and his salary has been suspended since last December due to inability to film dramas and a movie, the judge reduced the sentence to 18 days of jail time.
Afterwards, Mat appealed and paid a cash bail of CNY 30,000. At 5:39 p.m., Mat and Lisa were seen stepping out of the court house. Approximately 30 reporters were waiting outside and asked the actor whether he felt he had received a fair sentence, but Mat refused to answer and quickly left in his car.
Mat’s Trouble With Drinking
As this was Mat’s second DUI offense, it was expected that the actor would receive a harsher sentence. His drinking habit had already led to several arrests in the past.
In 2005, Mat was arrested for DUI in the Jordan district. He was sentenced to pay a fine, and his license was suspended for a year.
In 2006, the intoxicated actor was arrested for attacking a security guard and later breaking items in a convenience store. At the time, he was sentenced to 150 hours of community service.
In addition, Mat had received speeding tickets and violations for driving while using his mobile phone.
This article was updated on November 5, 2021 to reflect that Mat Yeung has filed for appeal.
This article is written by Jayne for JayneStars.com.
I have no tolerance for drunk drivers. He’s lucky he didn’t kill someone. 18 days is light punishment.
You reap what you sow, Mat got what he deserved. I applaud the judge for being firm, the judge was already being lenient by reducing his sentence from 30 to 18 days.
Totally agree with you. Drink driving is bad & getting 18 days is too lenient especially for a frequent offender.
That’s too light. He keeps repeating these mistakes because he thought his status made him immune to consequences. Should have been harsher to prevent him from hurting others.
That may be part of the issue.
It could also be that he has an addiction that’ have consumed his mind and body. Quite sad that it has gotten to this point. Hopefully he gets the help he needs as it will only continue to derail if he doesn’t
Wonder if TVB will still cast him…
Finally! And he didn’t even apologise or pretend to be sorry but he is sorry for himself. If this was Korea he would have been crucified, and fired and erased. He should at least speak to the media, say sorry, he will accept punishment like a man and start anew and beg the public to forgive him for his stupidity. Instead I have a feeling he disagreed with the sentencing. I was happy to read the judge took no nonsense from him. If he doesn’t learn his lesson this time and sober up, he will end up killing someone some day or killing his career.
There’s a precedent for this. In singapore, Malaysian actor Christopher Lee at the height of his career was sentenced to.. can’t remember how long for a motor accident where someone’s toe was hurt. I remember reading about toes. He went to jail, and his career uncertain, famous girlfriend uncertain and then he came out, became a changed man, career got better, married the same woman, had a child, still famous. So it is possible for Matt as well.
Good, hope to see more news of him in the jail soon.
He needs help . .
Yes, he needs to join an AA or something because he obviously seems unable to stop drinking. Although at this point, what else is there to deter him if his career has probably been ruined now?
So glad that this judge did not accept lame reason on him not earning what he might still think he deserve to earn the CNY 1 mil job opportunities nor gave him another set of community services.
He is very lucky that he didn’t injure anyone every time he is drunk or driving without care.
Aside from that, didn’t know that anyone reject the breathalyzer test.
18days is way too short!! Gosh, look at the state he is in when he is caught… He really is his own worst enemy….
What a total loser…………….Doesn’t even show an ounce of remorse for his disregard of the law or to the safety of other’s on the road……….Won’t even show the least bit of decency, by at least serving the 18 days of jail-time………Does he really think a further appeal would erase this record of ongoing DUI?…………What a total moroon he is!
This wasn’t the first time Matt had a brush with the law. This sentence could be a slap on his wrist and he may continue to indulge in alcohol to feed his addiction. Given the burgeoning pool of young talents, I doubt TVB would give him a second chance to salvage his career. Since he is found guilty of drink driving, he should be barred from appearing in any dramas to protect the image of the company. The entertainment industry is intensely competitive and he should know better not to succumb to his addiction if he aims to advance his acting career.
18 days. What a deterrent.
So when does he actually serve his sentence?
I agree that 18 days are too lenient, given this is his third DUI. He should be in jail at least 6 months. He is an arrogant guy, doubt he will change.
If someone die from his drunk driving the next time, it’s the judge’s fault for allowing a life to be taken.
Not a good sign for an up & coming actor. Drinking for social outing its ok but until at the stage of becoming an alcoholic, its very dangerous. Sorry Mat, its not too late to seek professional help to get you out of such mess before its too late