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SCMP Reporter

A star police officer was yesterday convicted of shooting a man in the arm in a row over a video.

  The momentary rage 'over a trivial matter' ruined the career of 14-year veteran Senior Inspector Cheung Kwok-wai, 35, the District Court heard.

  Cheung had finished an extra shift when he stopped in a KPS video store in Quarry Bay on August 14. But he got into a scuffle with Dai Yiu-shing, 28, over a kung fu laser disc and shot him in the arm.

  'Just as the tragic shot shattered the forearm of Dai, it shattered the career and life of Cheung,' Kevin Egan, defending, said.

  'This is a personal tragedy of enormous proportions. He will be dismissed from the force as a result of his conviction.'   Judge Bernard Whaley found Cheung guilty of wounding with intent and put him behind bars until sentencing tomorrow. Cheung, who denied the charge, was free on bail during the trial.

  The court heard how Cheung, one of the trusted and rising stars in the territory's police force, was moved to Yau Tsim district anti-triad and drug squad, after the Mongkok area had been hit by Independent Commission Against Corruption arrests of policemen last year.

  The extra workload fell on Cheung's shoulders. During the week of the shooting he had not had a day off and had worked a 14-hour shift when he met Mr Dai.

  Cheung claimed he remembered fighting with Mr Dai, but did not how the gun ended up in his hand or how the shot was fired. A psychiatrist diagnosed Cheung's memory loss as 'acute stress syndrome' caused by over-work.

  But Judge Whaley said the stress did not justify Cheung shooting an unarmed man. He said he could not accept Cheung's explanation that he momentarily blanked out.

  'I am satisfied he consciously and deliberately drew his pistol and fired it,' the judge said.

  Mr Egan laid part of the blame for the shooting on the victim. Mr Dai admitted he had repeatedly punched the inspector in the head and wrestled with him seconds before he was shot. Mr Dai was allowed to testify under immunity from prosecution for common assault.

  Mr Egan pleaded for a light sentence. He argued Cheung would be in danger from the general prison population, especially those he had helped place behind bars.



Star policeman guilty of video shop shooting