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SCMP Reporter

An off-duty police constable was attacked and lost the sight in his left eye after asking a man to stop smoking on a minibus, the District Court heard yesterday.

Lee Hang-chai, 26, who is attached to the Airport Security Unit, told Judge Derek Pang Wai-cheong he can now only see out of his right eye.

Mr Lee told the court he was off duty and travelling on a minibus to Wong Tai Sin to meet a colleague before work on May 22 last year when the attack happened.

When the minibus passed through Tung Tau Estate, Leung Ming-yin, 21, a transport worker, Woo Lok-wai, 22, unemployed, and a woman got on the minibus and sat in front of Mr Lee.

Leung was smoking, and Mr Lee told him it was not allowed.

Mr Lee said Leung turned around looking annoyed and said 'what's up?'

Woo asked Mr Lee to let Leung finish the cigarette, Mr Lee said.

Leung then made a call on his mobile phone and stared at Mr Lee.

When the minibus reached the Wong Tai Sin terminal, Leung and Woo got off and met a third man, Leung Ching-yin, 22, also unemployed, the court heard.

Mr Lee, who was the last to get off, said one of the trio rushed up to him and hit him in the eyes with a length of wood. Mr Lee told the men he was a police officer, but the two Leungs continued to attack him.

Leung Ming-yin and Woo Lok-wai, who pleaded not guilty to one count of wounding with intent, were arrested by patrolling officers.

Leung Ching-yin is still at large, the court was told.

'When I was hit for the first time, I couldn't see anything with my left eye but I used my right eye to see,' Mr Lee said.

He said he did not run away because he was trying to get a clear picture of the men as he may have to identify them if they were caught.

Prosecutor Stewart Hau said Woo  had acted as the lookout when the attack occurred.

Mr Lee was taken to hospital and was found to have a bone fracture on the little finger of his left hand and eye injuries. He was operated on June 5 but lost the eyesight in his left eye.

The trial continues Monday before Judge Pang.



Policeman who told smoker to stop was bashed and partially blinded, court hears