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A 62-year-old man was sentenced to 100 hours of Community Service Orders in Tsuen Wan Magistrates' Courts today (October 13) for assaulting a Tobacco Control Inspector (TCI). Prior to the sentence, the man had been remanded in custody for 13 days.
The incident took place at a market in Yat Tung Estate in Tung Chung on June 10. 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 said, "Members of the public should observe the smoking ban requirements and co-operate with law enforcement officers.
"Intimidation or the use of violence on enforcement officers are serious offences and carry serious legal consequences."
As of today, there have been five cases of assaulting TCIs in 2015. Since 2007, 67 cases have been recorded and 14 out of 59 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/Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Issued at HKT 18:15
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