City Digest

Seventh vote-rigging suspect appears in court

A seventh vote-rigging suspect, accused of registering to vote with a false address in the district council polls last month, appeared in court yesterday. He registered the same address as six others - three men and three women, aged 21 to 45 - who appeared in court on the same charge on Monday. Hawker Wong Ka-hong, 29, faces one count of corrupt conduct related to voting in an election. He entered no plea in Kowloon City Court yesterday. Wong, who told the court that he now lives in Tong Fong Tsuen in Ping Shan, Yuen Long, voted in King's Park constituency, Yau Tsim Mong District, on November 6.

Changes to project near wetland park approved

The Town Planning Board approved amendments for the Housing Society's upmarket elderly residential project near the Tin Shui Wai wetland park. The number of flats will be cut from 1,000 to 950, and hotel rooms reduced from 200 to 140. The board also required the society to assess the glare impact on rare fireflies. A 30-metre-wide non-building area will be set up between the site and the wetland park.

Prosecutors drop one charge against American

Prosecutors yesterday withdrew one charge alleging that an American man damaged a glass panel and intercom outside the US consulate. Eastern Court heard the consulate decided not to pursue the matter. Salesman Eric Fitzsimmons, 47, was initially charged with four counts of criminal damage involving four locations in Central. The case was adjourned to December 22.

Six airlifted to hospital after bee attack

Nine hikers and two firemen were injured when a swarm of bees attacked them in Sai Kung. About 40 hikers were attacked near Cheung Sheung at about 11am. Six of them, including the firemen, were airlifted in a Government Flying Service's helicopter to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital.