Man sentenced to probation for assaulting homeless person twice

A man accused of pouring water on a homeless person and dragging her on two occasions in July pleaded guilty to two counts of common assault and was sentenced to a 12-month probation order at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts.

The 29-year-old defendant, Chan Tin-lok, was charged with assaulting the victim, Leung Yuet-kiu—including splashing cold water on her—in the vicinity of Station Lane in Hung Hom on July 15 and 16.

Acting Principal Magistrate Cheng Lim-chi noted that this was not a random attack. The defendant lived near the crime scene and targeted the victim with unreasonable treatment simply because he disliked her sleeping rough near his home; fortunately, no serious injuries were caused.

Taking into account the defendant's positive probation report, lack of a criminal record, and demonstrated remorse, the magistrate sentenced him to a 12-month probation order.