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A 39-year-old man was given concurrent sentences of three months imprisonment for the charge of assaulting a Tobacco Control Inspector (TCI) and three weeks for the charge of obstructing a public officer in the exercise of his duty at Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (September 12). He was also fined $2,000 for a smoking offence.
The incident took place at an amusement games centre in San Fat Street, Sheung Shui on June 15, 2014. The man assaulted a TCI when a team of inspectors was inspecting the premises. He was subsequently arrested and charged by the Police.
A spokesman for the Department of Health urged the public to observe the smoking ban requirements and to
co-operate with law enforcement officers.
"Intimidation or use of violence on enforcement officers is a serious offence and carries serious legal consequences," the spokesman said.
As of today, there have been four cases of assaulting TCIs in 2014. Since 2007, 59 cases have been recorded and 14 out of 53 offenders convicted for assaulting TCIs were sentenced to immediate imprisonment. The maximum penalty meted out by the court was immediate imprisonment for four months.
Ends/Friday, September 12, 2014
Issued at HKT 18:35
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