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Defence attacks credibility of inmates who claim beating

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TWO former inmates who have accused prison officers of assaulting them were unreliable and unworthy of belief, defence counsel told the District Court yesterday.

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Deputy Judge Yung will deliver judgement next Thursday on four prison officers accused of what the Crown called a savage attack on illegal immigrants Ma Lam-hoi, 21, and Tin Wan-fei, 22, while they were in the Lai Sun Correctional Institution, Hei Ling Chau.

On trial are Acting Principal Officer Cheng Siu-kwong, 32, and Assistant Officers II Chu Siu-fai, 21, Lee Tak-ming, 24, and Chau Ming, 29.

In his final submission, Mr Gerard McCoy, counsel for Chu, Cheng and Lee, described Ma's evidence as ''grossly exaggerated and fanciful''.

It was not until 50 days after the alleged assault on April 10, 1992, that he lodged a complaint, Mr McCoy said.

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Out of self-interest, Ma had made the allegations at a late stage for fear he would be held responsible for causing injuries received by Tin.

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