Indian man jailed three months for sexually assaulting South Korean live-streamer

A 46-year-old Indian man was jailed for three months for sexually assaulting a South Korean female live-streamer at Central MTR station this September as the judge blasted the man for damaging the city’s image and reputation. 

The defendant Amit, reportedly a chef, pleaded guilty to a count of indecent assault as he appeared before Principal Magistrate Ivy Chui Yee-mei in Eastern Court on Thursday. 

The court heard that the live-streamer – identified as “X” in court – was trying to find her way to a hotel in Sai Ying Pun at night on September 10 after live-streaming in Central. Shortly after midnight, Amit approached X at the tram station on Pedder Street and suggested they hire a taxi together but X refused. 

The two then walked towards Central station and Amit pressed X’s left shoulder and grabbed her right hand. X resisted but Amit held on tightly and said: “Listen. Come with me. I am alone.” 

X then broke free and ran towards the train station but Amit followed and pushed X up against the wall. Amit also touched X’s abdomen near her breasts and rested his head on X’s shoulder. X later successfully escaped and cried for help with Amit immediately fleeing the scene. 

After X filed a police report, Amit was arrested on September 13. Under caution, Amit said he forgot what had happened as he had consumed alcohol. Still, he admitted it was his face captured in the footage of X’s live-streaming. 

In mitigation, the defense said Amit had a clean criminal record and pointed out that Amit’s 16-year-old son is paralyzed and his condition remains unstable. Amit felt stressed due to being unable to arrange for his family in India to come to Hong Kong and therefore started drinking. 

The defense added that Amit lost control of himself under the influence of alcohol and he was ashamed to see the video circulating on the internet. He also promised to quit drinking. 

In sentencing, Chui noted the serious nature of this case as X had repeatedly expressed resistance and asked Amit not to grab her. Chui continued that the extent of indecency became higher and X was extremely frightened at the time as Amit tailed her, whispered in her ears and nearly touched her breasts after X had broken free the first time. 

The case damaged Hong Kong’s reputation and image and the court must protect the safety of X as well as other visitors, Chui said, adding that imprisonment was the only sentencing option. 

Although the judge said alcohol influence was not an excuse for committing the crime, given Amit’s guilty plea and clean record, she sentenced him three-month imprisonment.