Waiter 'hid lighter as police approached' amid tension over cross-border trading in Hong Kong
A waiter accused of possessing a lighter he intended to use to damage property in Sheung Shui as tension grew over cross-border trading was spotted with flare emitting from his right hand the night he was arrested, a court heard yesterday.
Testifying against Li Tsz-keung, a police officer, who arrested Li, said he and his colleague saw the flare on Li’s right hand when they were about to intercept the 18-year-old and another man on Hong Tsai Street on February 1.
“As we intercepted him, Li clenched his right fist and put it into his right pocket,” the officer told Fanling Court. He noted that several shops had been damaged, which was why he stopped Li in the first place.
The shops involved served so-called parallel traders, who buy goods in Hong Kong for resale at a profit over the border.
Li, who has pleaded not guilty to one count of possessing an item with intent to damage property, was arrested near some such shops that night.
Led by prosecutor Matthew Chong Chun-sang yesterday, the officer noted a message found in WhatsApp group chat after Li gave him permission to check his smartphone.
The message said: “Barbecue is a good thing, but one has to think how it could be done in a clean manner that does not leave marks.”
In cross-examination, defence counsel Edward Chan Tak-cheong pointed out the message was sent by another user, not his client, according to records provided by the prosecution.
Chan also suggested to the officer that he took Li’s phone without the client’s consent and threatened to bring more charges against Li should Li refuse to cooperate.
Li, the defence counsel added, was asked by another officer while detained whether he was involved in setting alight a rubbish station in the area. Li was allegedly induced by that officer to admit burning a rubbish bin, as the offence would incur only a fine.
The officer denied taking the phone without his permission and said no other officer had approached Li, as he had been with Li at the time of the alleged inducement.
The case continues before Magistrate Colin Wong Sze-cheung on September 7.
