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A 54-year-old man and a 68-year-old man were sentenced to 100 hours and 70 hours of Community Service Orders respectively in the Tuen Mun Magistrates' Courts for assaulting Tobacco Control Inspectors (TCIs) and obstructing public officers in exercise of their duty.
The incident took place at Po Tin Market in Tuen Mun on February 6. Two men assaulted two TCIs when the inspectors were inspecting the premises. The two men were subsequently arrested and charged by the Police. The 54-year-old man was sentenced on March 7 and the 68-year-old man was sentenced today (March 19).
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 2014. Since 2007, 57 cases have been recorded and 12 out of 45 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/Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Issued at HKT 18:35
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