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A 55-year-old man was sentenced to imprisonment for two weeks at Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (February 11) for assaulting a Tobacco Control Inspector (TCI). Prior to the sentence, the man had been remanded under custody for 17 days. He was also fined $1,500 for obstruction of a public officer in the exercise of his powers.
The incident took place at an amusement game centre in Wan Chai on September 14, 2015. 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.
There were eight cases of assaulting TCIs in 2015. Since 2007, 70 cases have been recorded and 15 out of 60 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/Thursday, February 11, 2016
Issued at HKT 18:05
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