Throwing glass towards ex-Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying could not have been assault, Wong Yuk-man says at appeal
One-time pan-democratic Legco member argues city’s former leader had never complained about being scared by the 2014 incident
A former pan-democratic lawmaker convicted of giving an ex-Hong Kong leader a scare by hurling a glass towards him during a legislative meeting told a court on Monday his action could not possibly amount to assault.
The incident led to the first time a Hong Kong leader was called as a witness at a trial. Leung testified that the glass had landed behind him and shattered, sending him into shock.
In common law, giving someone a fright can amount to an assault.
But on Monday, Wong argued the former top official had never complained about being scared by the glass-throwing. Rather, he was troubled by the noise of it breaking, which happened later.
In fact, the one-time lawmaker claimed, Leung did not even witness his throwing the glass. He therefore argued that even if Leung were scared, he should not be held responsible.
In fact, “he was still calm and relaxed,” Wong said of Leung, whose term as city leader ended last year.
Deputy director of public prosecutions Anna Lai Yuen-kee SC conceded no similar cases had come before the court.
Fiery ex-Legco member claims assault trial was unfair
But Lai said Wong’s throw was a continuous action, so it would include the glass breaking.
Mrs Justice Judianna Barnes Wai-ling needed time to consider the ruling. She adjourned the appeal to a later day.
During the question-and-answer session on the day, Wong threw three piles of documents before tossing a glass of water, which landed near Leung and broke.
Leung later picked up a glass fragment and returned to the stand to ask what impact Wong’s action would have on youngsters.
Wong argued at trial the glass had slipped out of his hand and that the action was part of a chaos he staged in protesting Leung.