Off the hook: Nuisance caller avoids trial for ringing former Hong Kong police commander accused of hitting Occupy protester

A former Hong Kong police commander caught on camera hitting an Occupy protester with his baton was not required to give evidence in a separate case today after prosecutors dropped charges against a man accused of making nuisance phone calls to him.

Lawrence Tsui Lai-lok, 30, rang retired superintendent Franklin Chu King-wai 13 times between November 28 and December 1 last year, on both his mobile and home landline, causing him annoyance, needless nuisance and inconvenience, prosecutor Jasmine Ching alleged at Tsuen Wan Court.

Tsui was charged with two counts of making persistent phone calls, but was bound over by a sum of HK$1,500 for 18 months after prosecutors told the court minutes before the trial was due to start that they would not press charges. He was also ordered to pay HK$800 in court costs.

“During this period, you should not commit any behaviour in relation to breach of privacy and causing nuisance,” Deputy Magistrate Jim Chun-ki warned Tsui.

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Had the trial proceeded, Chu, who faces complaints substantiated by the Independent Police Complaints Council for hitting a protester in Mong Kok on November 26 last year, would have testified as a witness.