Man sentenced for assaulting tobacco control inspectors
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     A 37-year-old man was today (May 6) was sentenced by Tuen Mun Magistrates' Court to three months jail suspended for 18 months for assaulting a Tobacco Control Inspector of the Department of Health.

     The incident took place in Hop Yick Commercial Centre in Yuen Long on October 16, 2008 when the man threw an ash tray at the inspector who was part a team of Tobacco Control Inspectors conducting an enforcement operation.

     He was subsequently arrested and charged by police.

     A Department of Health spokesman appealed to the public to co-operate with law enforcement officers.

     "Intimidation of or use of violence on enforcement officers is a serious offence and carries serious legal consequences," the spokesman said.

Ends/Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:00

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