Hong Kong Democratic Party district councillor cleared of assaulting guards

A Democratic Party district council member who tried to force his way into a government building in Central last year was cleared on Tuesday of assaulting two security guards.

Magistrate Colin Wong Sze-cheung of Eastern Court said although Ted Hui Chi-fung could have kicked Koo Wing-keung, one of the two guards, intentionally, Wong could not rule out other possibilities.

“I cannot rule out that [the kicking] was a natural response,” he told Hui, who previously denied two counts of common assault on Koo and another guard, Yu Lai.

Wong ruled that the situation was chaotic when Hui’s legs were pressed against a table by several guards on the day of the alleged offences.

The court heard earlier that Hui attempted to get past a security checkpoint in the lobby of Harbour Building last April by sliding over a table under a partially closed gate.

He was stopped halfway by the security guards including Koo, who got hold of his legs.

Wong noted that there were times when Hui’s upper body was not being supported by anyone, which meant the district councillor was trying to keep his balance.