A businessman was handed a suspended jail sentence and ordered to pay $15,000 in fines yesterday for assaulting the driver of a van that hit his girlfriend, knocking out her front teeth, and a reporter sent to cover the story.
Chiu Wai-shing, 32, was handed a six-week term - suspended for a year - after he admitted assaulting van driver Lo Siu-wing and newspaper reporter Wong Yiu-loong in Nam Kok Road, Kowloon, on March 14.
Kowloon City Court heard Chiu, his girlfriend, in her 20s, and a male friend were walking along Nam Kok Road when the woman was knocked down by a van as they crossed the road just after 4.30am. The woman briefly fell unconscious and lost her front teeth.
Chiu attacked Mr Lo in the driver's seat, causing small cuts to his right ear and left hand. Chiu then attacked a reporter who was among journalists sent to the scene, causing him head, back and shoulder pain.
The couple's friend ran from the scene and is being sought by police.
Andrew Macrae, SC, defending, said Chiu was angry when he saw his girlfriend's injuries, adding the attack was not premeditated. His client had got even angrier when he saw reporters 'jumping around and taking photos'. But he said Chiu was remorseful.
