Hong Kong police sergeant gets 160 hours’ community service for assaulting junior officer
- David Leung was spared jail at Tuen Mun Court on Tuesday, after he pleaded guilty to common assault during a drunken brawl on April 19
- He will also undergo an internal disciplinary hearing after the legal proceedings
A Hong Kong police sergeant who was suspended for assaulting a junior officer during an illegal public gathering has been sentenced to 160 hours of community service.
David Leung Kwok-wing was spared jail at Tuen Mun Court on Tuesday, after he pleaded guilty to common assault during a drunken brawl on April 19.
The 40-year-old sergeant and his nine colleagues flouted the government’s ban on public gatherings of more than four people, enforced to fight the coronavirus pandemic, when they met for dinner in the early hours to bid farewell to policewoman So Ling-nga, who was leaving the force.
The court heard Leung had a heated verbal exchange with the 31-year-old officer, after she teased him for his “inability to drink”.
During the altercation, Leung grabbed her by the hair for 10 seconds, causing swelling to her head as well as scratches to her arms. She was given two days’ sick leave after the incident.
Leung pleaded guilty before Magistrate Kelly Shui on October 27, having initially denied the accusation under caution and during a police investigation. His lawyers said he had agreed to give So compensation of HK$3,000 (US$387) for her injuries.