Man sentenced for threatening Tobacco Control Inspector with offensive weapon
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The incident took place at the Cross-Harbour Tunnel Bus Interchange in Hung Hom on January 7 this year. The man threatened a TCI with an offensive weapon when he was being prosecuted by the TCI for a smoking offence. 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.
"Threatening 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 2017. Since 2007, 81 cases have been recorded and 19 out of 68 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/Friday, June 23, 2017
Issued at HKT 19:50
Issued at HKT 19:50
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