An auxiliary policeman yesterday admitted using chloroform on a teenage girl on a bus in Tai Po.
Kwok Ping-man, 42, whose regular job was as a hawker-control officer, committed the crime because he was drunk, defence barrister Nelson Lam told the District Court.
The incident took place on November 12 last year as the bus travelled along Kwong Fuk Road.
Yeung Shuk-yi, 17, was riding on the upper deck when Kwok used his hand to cover her mouth and nose with chloroform. As Ms Yeung struggled, the defendant tried to hit her, but she warded him off. She ran downstairs and told the driver not to let Kwok go. Police were called and Kwok was arrested as Ms Yeung, who had broken out in a rash, was taken to hospital.
Kwok yesterday pleaded guilty to administering the chloroform with intent to injure, aggrieve or annoy the girl.
His lawyer told the court Kwok had been abused by his parents as a child and had been an alcoholic for 20 years.