University of Hong Kong student jailed for 8 weeks over 2021 indecent assault
Hong Kong Free Press
A student from the University of Hong Kong has been jailed for eight weeks after he was found guilty last month of committing two counts of indecent assault in a dormitory in 2021.
Poon Kai-yiu, 21, was sentenced at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday for touching a female schoolmate with his genitals and exposing himself inside her room at Lee Shau Kee Hall on December 31, 2021.
According to local media, Poon said in a court-ordered report that he had “strong sexual desires.” Poon believed that the victim, identified as “X” in court, had “casual” relationships and thought X liked him, Deputy Magistrate Kevin Tang said citing the report.
In handing down the sentencing, Tang criticised Poon as having “distorted views” on sex and said the defendant had underestimated the harm of his actions on X. The deputy magistrate also dismissed Poon’s defence that he committed the offences under the influence of alcohol, saying such argument was an “excuse.”
Tang went on to say that after molesting X, Poon had returned to X’s room to commit another count of indecent assault. This showed that the defendant’s acts were “pre-meditated,” local media reported Tang as saying.
On the day of the offence, Poon, X and a group of friends held a gathering in a pantry at the residential halls in Pok Fu Lam. After the gathering ended at around 7 am, Poon, X and three others decided to go to X’s room to continue chatting and drinking.
Around an hour later, two people left, leaving Poon, X and another individual, who fell asleep, in the room. Poon was said to have touched X’s bottom with his private part. After briefly leaving the room, Poon returned and exposed his genitals in front of X.
Tang said on Tuesday that the first act of indecent assault was considered “indirect body contact” because the contact was separated by X’s clothes, while the second indecent act left X “very frightened.” The deputy magistrate eventually ordered Poon, who had been held in custody since the verdict on August 21, to serve a total of eight weeks behind bars.
Under Hong Kong law, indecent assault is punishable by up to 10 years of imprisonment. The prison term meted out by a magistrates’ court is capped at two years.
| 💡If you are suffering from sexual or domestic violence, regardless of your age or gender, contact the police, Harmony House (click for details) and/or the Social Welfare Department on 28948896. Dial 999 in emergencies. |
Support HKFP | Policies & Ethics | Error/typo? | Contact Us | Newsletter | Transparency & Annual Report | Apps
Help safeguard press freedom & keep HKFP free for all readers by supporting our team
HKFP has an impartial stance, transparent funding, and balanced coverage guided by an Ethics Code and Corrections Policy.
Support press freedom & help us surpass 1,000 monthly Patrons: 100% independent, governed by an ethics code & not-for-profit.