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Teacher jailed for six months for kissing girl, 15

A married secondary-school teacher who kissed and hugged a 15-year-old pupil in his car against her will was yesterday jailed for six months.

Eric Tsang Wing-cheung, 46, who taught economics at a school in Siu Sai Wan, was earlier found guilty after trial in Eastern Court of indecent assault and two counts of indecent conduct towards a child.

'From your [background] report, you are still trying to find excuses for your actions and show a lack of remorse,' Magistrate Adriana Tse said. It was a serious breach of trust as Tsang used his position to get personal information on his pupil, she said. 'You were stalking her.'

On the evening of July 1, Tsang, who knew that the girl was upset because of relationship problems, drove her to Lei King Wan - an area by the sea at Sai Wan Ho. He held her hand and said many people cared about her. He also asked her to hug him and kissed her.

The girl testified that Tsang also asked her to kiss him. He said that she was like a daughter to him. She told the court she was disgusted but she complied, fearing that he would single her out at school.

In convicting the defendant, the magistrate said earlier that he lured her to a quiet place to get her to talk about things that she found upsetting and then offered consolation.

She highlighted 20 areas of inconsistencies in Tsang's testimony and criticised him for breaching a professional code of conduct.

Tsang's lawyer, Wong Man-kit SC, said the defendant's usual conduct was 'normal and good'.

He urged the court to impose a three-week jail term so Tsang could be reunited with his family immediately. The magistrate refused. She also rejected Tsang's application for bail pending an appeal of conviction.

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