Hong Kong  - A notorious Hong Kong triad gang leader claims that he has turned to God and repented to a priest, a news report said Saturday.

Hung Hon-yee, who is believed to be the leader of the 14K triad gang in Hong Kong's Tsim Sha Tsui district, made the claim outside court after being arrested with 67 other triad gang members.

Hung, 61, spoke to reporters about his gangland life after a court appearance Friday, according to the South China Morning Post, and said: "I feel that I was very wrong. I have repented to a priest."

When his followers told reporters to stop asking questions, Hung, nicknamed Teddy in gang circles, insisted on continuing to speak about his new-found faith, saying: "We are Christians."

Hung appeared at Hong Kong's Kowloon City Court Friday where he pleaded not guilty to resisting arrest during the round-up of alleged triad gang members. He will face trial in January.

Triad gangs are Hong Kong's equivalent of the mafia, running extortion, drug and prostitution rackets. They are reckoned by police to be responsible for 3 per cent of all crime in Hong Kong. (IANS)