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A 27-year-old man was convicted by the Tsuen Wan Magistrates' Court today (March 15) for assaulting a Tobacco Control Inspector (TCI).
The man was sentenced to 120 hours under Community Service Order for the assault and another 120 hours of community service for obstructing a public officer, to be executed concurrently. Before the sentence was handed down today, the man had already been fined $3,000 for his smoking offence and was remanded in custody for 14 days.
The incident took place at an internet cafe called "i-ONE" in Tsuen Wan on January 26, 2011. The man assaulted a TCI when a team of inspectors was inspecting the premises. The man was subsequently arrested and charged by the Police with Common Assault, Obstructing a Public Officer and Smoking in a No-smoking Area.
A spokesman for the Department of Health urged the public to observe smoking ban requirements and to co-operate with law enforcement officers.
"Intimidation of or use of violence on enforcement officers is a serious offence and carries serious legal consequences," the spokesman said.
Ends/Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Issued at HKT 19:15
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