************************************************************
Two men, aged 22 and 36, who resisted a Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) officer in the execution of public duties, were convicted of obstructing a public officer in the execution of duty and were both sentenced to 80 hours' community service at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (February 6).
The court heard that an Assistant Hawker Control Officer was wilfully obstructed by the two defendants during a blitz operation against unlicensed hawkers and illegal shop extensions at Chun Yeung Street in North Point on October 25 last year.
An FEHD spokesman reminded members of the public to co-operate with law enforcement officers. According to section 139 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Chapter 132), any person who wilfully obstructs, resists or uses abusive language to any law enforcement officer in the execution of his duties is liable to a maximum fine of $25,000 and six months' imprisonment.
"To use force against public officers is not right and offenders would have a criminal record when convicted. Furthermore, the FEHD would claim from offenders losses arising from the absence of duty of the injured public officers through civil litigation," he added.
Ends/Thursday, February 6, 2014
Issued at HKT 18:17
NNNN
