Cathay Pacific ‘lacks virtuous Chinese morals’, says artist fined HK$6,000 for assault
Chinese painter criticises verdict after being found guilty of throwing cup at flight attendant
A renowned mainland Chinese artist found guilty of assaulting an air hostess on a Cathay Pacific flight complained that the Hong Kong airline “lacked virtuous morals” because it was not a Chinese company.
Painter Lee Yuet-fung, 68, was convicted this morning of throwing a cup at the stewardess while on a flight from Singapore to Hong Kong on December 10 last year. He was fined HK$6,000.
“Cathay Pacific is not from China and so lacks virtuous Chinese morals and professional ethics,” Lee said outside Tsuen Wan Court. “I would rather take Malaysian Airlines than board another Cathay plane.”
Lee hurled a plastic cup at the flight attendant after asking for water multiple times while stewardesses were busy serving meals. He said that it took 20 minutes before water was brought to him.
Lee earlier claimed that his hands were trembling at the time because he suffered from severe diabetes and needed the water to take his medicine.
Chinese airlines always took care of the old, weak and sick, Lee said after the sentencing, adding that Cathay “failed to educate its staff properly”.
Despite earning RMB$1 million (HK$1.27 million) a month as an artist, paying the HKD$6,000 fine was too much, considering he “did not do it”, Lee said.
“HK$6,000 is HK$6,000 too much, because I didn’t do it,” he said outside court, declaring that he would definitely appeal the verdict. “The sentence is what I couldn’t swallow.”
Lee is famous for his paintings of tigers and bamboo. He spends the majority of his time in mainland China, or travelling. It was revealed in court that he earns RMB$1 million a month.
Deputy Magistrate Jim Chun-ki, sitting at at Tsuen Wan Court, said Lee’s testimony was faulty and he attempted to brush over details in order to cover the truth, while the air hostess’ testimony was consistent throughout.
When asked whether he would like to plead for a lenient sentence after the verdict, Lee said: “How can I plead? I didn’t do it. If you say I’m guilty, I’m definitely not taking it.” He then proceeded to debate the verdict with Jim.
“While assault aboard an aircraft is more serious than common assault, you are only fined because I took into account that it was just one action and that you’d asked multiple times for a cup of water beforehand,” Jim said. “So after considering your background, especially your income, I’ve decided on a fine.”
After the verdict and sentence, Jim asked Lee if he wanted the grey cup which he threw at the airline hostess back after court proceedings.
Lee replied, with gusto: “Yes I do.”
A spokeswoman for Cathay Pacific said the company respects the court's decision.
