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A 52-year-old man was given a concurrent sentence of seven days' imprisonment in the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today (June 26) each for one count of assaulting a Tobacco Control Inspector (TCI) and two counts of obstructing public officers in the exercise of their duty. He was also fined $2,000 for a smoking offence.
The incident took place in the cooked food centre of Shui Wo Street Municipal Services Building in Kwun Tong on June 20. 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 2013. Since 2007, 51 cases have been recorded. Since January 2007, 10 out of 38 offenders convicted of assault on TCIs have been sentenced to immediate imprisonment. The maximum penalty meted out by the court was immediate imprisonment for four months.
Ends/Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Issued at HKT 18:27
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