A POLICE sergeant accused of assaulting a recruit told a court yesterday he was a 'harsh' disciplinarian who wanted his cadets to be strong and confident when they faced criminals.
Sergeant Ching Kwok-wa, 32, has denied four counts of common assault and two of attempting to pervert the course of justice. Ching's co-accused, Sergeant Yau Man-tai, 31, has denied common assault.
Ching told Western Court he had scolded the alleged victim, Chung Wing-hong, during foot drill on August 10 last year at the Wong Chuk Hang training school, then patted the cadet's waist to help him regain his balance. Later, he said, he told the squad to keep quiet about the incident because he did not want rumours to affect morale.
Ching will be cross-examined by prosecutor William Lam today.