******************************************************
A 46-year-old man was sentenced to imprisonment of two months suspended for two years in Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts today (April 12) for assaulting a Tobacco Control Inspector (TCI) and obstructing a public officer in the exercise of his duty. He has already been fined $500 for the smoking offence by the same court.
The incident took place in King George V Memorial Park, Kowloon, on October 31, 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 against enforcement officers is a serious offence and carries serious legal consequences," the spokesman said.
As of today, there have been two cases of assaulting TCIs in 2016. Since 2007, 72 cases have been recorded and 16 out of 63 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, April 12, 2016
Issued at HKT 16:59
NNNN
