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Two men sentenced for assaulting Tobacco Control Inspector

11 July 2014

A 65-year-old man was sentenced today (July 11) to imprisonment for six weeks suspended for 18 months plus a fine of $500 in Tsuen Wan Magistrates' Courts for assaulting a Tobacco Control Inspector (TCI). Prior to the sentence, the man had been remanded under custody for two weeks. Another 50-year-old man who assaulted the TCI in this case was sentenced to Community Service Orders of 100 hours earlier by the same court.

The incident took place at Lei Muk Shue Shopping Centre in Tsuen Wan on April 8. The two men assaulted a TCI when a team of inspectors was inspecting the premises. They were 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 2014. Since 2007, 59 cases have been recorded and 13 out of 52 offenders convicted for assaulting TCIs were sentenced to immediate imprisonment. The maximum penalty meted out by the court was immediate imprisonment for four months.