Villagers arrested after expats claim assault
Police have arrested two people after an expat family's claim that they were driven from their Lantau home after being attacked by a dozen villagers carrying sticks and iron bars.
The alleged attack - sparked by a car parking dispute which occurred in San Wai Tsuen, Pui O, on May 28 - was reported in last week's Sunday Morning Post.
A police spokeswoman said initial investigations had led to the arrest of two villagers - a man and his wife.
'In addition to the statement we took from the victim, we have now interviewed a number of witnesses. We have arrested a couple in connection with the case,' the spokeswoman said. 'The case has been preliminarily classified as assault occasioning actual bodily harm.'
The pair have been released on $1,000 bail each and must report back to police on June 20. No charges have been laid and investigations are continuing.
The arrests came just days after Marilou Aquino Montalla and her family moved out of their village home - leaving their belongings behind to be picked up by a friend.
Before her move, Ms Montalla said she would take civil action against the residents of the village if a criminal case did not proceed.
Ms Montalla said her partner Geoffrey Lewis had argued with villagers over a public parking space on May 28. Police were called in and the issue was settled.
The following evening, Mr Lewis parked in a different location to avoid trouble, but complained loudly about the inconvenience.
Ms Montalla, 47, alleges that her partner was attacked and she was forced to jump in front of him to act as a human shield, but was attacked and suffered bruising.
San Wai Tsuen villagers have denied the allegations - blaming the bad blood on a history of disputes over Ms Montalla's dog.
Village representative Ho Kwai-shing claimed the dispute on May 29 began after a drunken Mr Lewis knocked on the doors of villagers. He claims Mr Lewis subsequently attacked the villagers when they opened their doors.
Mr Ho, who said he witnessed the event, said that the villagers and the people who came out to help them did not fight back - despite suffering blows from both Mr Lewis and Ms Montalla. He said 30 villagers were present.
