Hong Kong contractors acquitted over 2016 collapse at historic former Central Police Station in Central during transformation into Tai Kwun heritage site

Verdict comes three years after partial collapse at Married Inspectors’ Quarters during compound’s transformation into Tai Kwun heritage site

Magistrate sides with defence, overturning prosecution based on government’s investigation into the project

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A wall and part of the roof of the former Married Inspectors’ Quarters collapsed in May 2016. Photo: Felix Wong

Published: 8:48pm, 18 Jul 2019Updated: 10:29am, 19 Jul 2019

The partial collapse of a historic building in the old Central Police Station compound during restoration in 2016 might not have been caused by holes drilled in the floor as the authorities had believed.

The finding emerged at Eastern Court on Thursday as a magistrate acquitted two contractors and an engineer that had been prosecuted based on the government’s investigation into the project that transformed the former police compound into the Tai Kwun art and heritage site in Central.

Gammon Construction was found not guilty of one summons alleging deviation from the plans approved by the Building Authority. The contractor was also cleared of allegations that it had carried out, authorised or permitted works in a manner that was likely to cause a risk of injury to people or damage to property.

Leung Chi-hung, the contractor’s authorised signatory, and Stonewest (HK), a subcontractor, were acquitted of the same charge. All three defendants applied for costs but were met by objections from the prosecutors.

The 155-year-old former Central Police Station compound comprises 16 historic buildings. Photo: Nora Tam

Magistrate Veronica Heung Shuk-han was expected to hear further submissions on August 26.