Hong Kong court jails ex-prison guard for inmate assault

A Hong Kong court has sentenced a former prison officer to three years in prison for brutally assaulting an inmate. The officer, Tam Lik-chung, pleaded guilty to charges of wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm and perverting the course of justice.

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He was taken to hospital with anal and rectal injuries and required an operation.

The assault took place in December 2023 at a correctional institution for young offenders. According to the court's verdict, the inmate, Chiu Hei-tik, threw talcum powder at Tam during a game. In retaliation, Tam ordered Chiu to a stairwell and assaulted him with a wooden stick. Two other inmates held Chiu down during the attack.

Chiu was hospitalized with severe anal and rectal injuries, necessitating an operation. The court sentenced Tam to three years in jail. Three inmates involved in the assault received sentences ranging from four to six months, while a fourth inmate was acquitted. Tam's supervisor, initially charged with misconduct in public office, was also acquitted.

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Hong Kong inmates experience physical violence, prolonged solitary confinement, poor sanitary conditions and high summer temperatures in the city’s prisons

This incident occurs against a backdrop of criticism from rights groups like Amnesty International, which has reported on physical violence, solitary confinement, and poor conditions in Hong Kong prisons. The government has previously dismissed such claims as a "malicious smear."

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malicious smear