Hospital Authority manager, doctor accused of stealing more than HK$1,600 worth of food from Hong Kong supermarket
- Defendants Vivien Chuang, 48, and Chiu Ming-yu, 47, have been charged with theft, after they allegedly stole fruits, sushi and pre-packed chicken from Aeon in Hung Hom
- Chuang once hosted the city’s daily Covid-19 press briefing with top health officials
A Hospital Authority manager and a doctor accused of stealing more than HK$1,600 (US$203) worth of food from a supermarket in Hong Kong have been charged with theft, with their case adjourned to September.
The two defendants, Chiu Ming-yu, 47, and Vivien Chuang Wai-man, 48, who both claimed to be doctors, appeared in Kowloon City Court on Thursday for the second time after their first hearing in May.
They were charged with theft for allegedly stealing a watermelon, a melon, two puddings, two packs of blueberries, two packs of sashimi, a pack of sushi and a bag of pre-packed chicken worth HK$1,632.8 from the AEON store in Hung Hom on April 23 this year.
Vivien Chuang, who works as a chief manager for infection, emergency and contingency at the Hospital Authority, once hosted the daily Covid-19 press briefing with Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan, head of the communicable disease branch of the Centre for Health Protection. Chiu is reportedly an orthopaedic specialist.
Acting Principal Magistrate Peony Wong Nga-yan granted an adjournment to allow the defence team and the Department of Justice more time to consider alternative means of handling the case, which is set for September 28.
The pair were granted bail on existing conditions. The duo made their first appearance in court on May 19 and were not required to enter a plea. They were each granted bail of HK$500, while the case was adjourned to Thursday to allow the defence to obtain relevant documents and seek legal advice.