A dental graduate convicted of indecently assaulting a woman on a bus was yesterday registered to practise because he was an 'upright and trustworthy' man.
It is the first time in the 40-year history of the Dental Council that a person with a criminal record has been allowed to register.
Law Kiu-ning, who is in his 20s, wept as council chairman Dr Jeffrey Tsang Yick-sang ruled he was a 'fit and proper' person to practise dentistry.
Mr Law will be the third dentist known to have a criminal record. All are convicted sex offenders. The others were convicted after registering and were not struck off.
His elder brother cheered while two women friends who testified that Mr Law was upright and trustworthy applauded when the verdict was delivered.
Western Court convicted Mr Law of indecent assault on February 6, 1996. He was fined $2,500 and given one year's probation.
He carried on his dental studies at the University of Hong Kong after the conviction and graduated in 1996.