A SENIOR prison officer yesterday denied lying during a District Court trial to save his own reputation and help his colleagues, who are accused of beating two inmates.
Leung Kin-ho, 36, Principal Officer at Lai Sun Correctional Institution, was called as a witness by defence counsel Gerard McCoy after Deputy Judge Yung ruled the defendants had a case to answer.
On trial are Acting Principal Officer Cheng Siu-kwong, 32, and Chu Siu-fai, 21, Lee Tak-ming, 24, and Chau Ming, 29, who all hold the rank of Assistant Officer II.
They face a joint count of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to inmate Tin Wan-fei, 22. Chu, Cheng and Lee are also jointly charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm on Ma Lam-hoi, 21. Both men are illegal immigrants.
Lee faces a further count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, while Chu faces a count of common assault. The Crown alleged these two offences happened in a corridor outside a cell and that Tin was assaulted by Chu, and Ma by Lee. The accused denied all charges and chose not to give evidence.
Questioned by Mr McCoy, representing Chu, Cheng and Lee, Mr Leung said he went to cell No 8 with another officer after being told two inmates had been fighting there.
Mr Leung said there were seven officers, including Chu, Cheng, Lee and himself, outside the cell.
