Eviction war brings coffins and tough guys
Embattled nursing home adopts scare tactics, says writ
A nursing home operator fighting eviction has begun displaying coffins, playing funeral music and posting 'strong men of hostile appearance' to intimidate residents, according to a High Court writ filed yesterday.
The writ states that the Incorporated Owners of Lai Chi Kok Bay Garden have been trying to force Clayton Power Ltd and Lee Man-leung from the estate in Kwai Chung after the company and Mr Lee allegedly breached a deed of mutual covenant by setting up a nursing home in commercial premises. The battle reached the courts in April when both sides launched legal proceedings against the other. When the owners refused a proposed settlement by Clayton Power and the Lai Wan Nursing Home three weeks ago, the defendant resorted to unusual and calculated tactics, the writ alleges.
Clayton Power and Mr Lee brought 14 coffins into the premises, and deliberately placed one of them in full view of residents and their children, it said.
Soon after that, funeral music was played loudly from within the premises and banners advertising coffins for sale were put up. The Taoist character fu, which is connected with burial ceremonies, was pasted on the doors, the writ states.
On July 24 and 28, two coffins, several fu characters and four paper burial-ceremony dummies were placed on a staircase.
Several 'strong men of hostile appearance' were posted outside the shop, where they stared at and took photographs of residents and passers-by, the writ alleges.
The owners say the defendants' tactics have caused 'unnecessary noise, nuisance, annoyance, mental distress and damage' to them and to residents.
They accuse Mr Lee and Clayton Power of 'illegal activities that amounted to the carrying on of an undertaking business without a licence'. The owners are seeking a declaration that the activities breach the deed of covenant. An injunction is also being sought to stop Clayton Power or Mr Lee carrying on with the funeral activities.
