Suspected harasser at freshman camp granted bail

A 20-year-old male nursing student at the University of Hong Kong was granted bail on Monday after he was brought to court for the alleged indecent assault of an 18-year-old female freshman at an orientation camp.

The student Tang Ho-yin was charged with two counts of indecent assault for allegedly committing the crime between August 20 and 21 at the Po Leung Kuk Jockey Club Tai Tong Holiday Camp. The charge sheet states that Tang first assaulted the 18-year-old in an activity room and groped her inside a dormitory living room the next day.

Tang was not required to enter a plea after prosecutors applied for a 10-week adjournment to conduct further inquiries, including examining CCTV footage from the campsite, additional checking of the defendant’s mobile phone, and taking statements from his schoolmates, they said.

Acting principal magistrate Andy Cheng Lim-chi granted Tang a HK$5,000 cash bail, with Tang ordered to remain in the city, report to the police twice a week, and avoid all prosecution witnesses.

His case has been adjourned to November 13.

According to Hong Kong law, indecent assault is punishable by up to three years imprisonment when the case is tried before a magistrate.

The case came to light after anonymous posts on Instagram claimed senior undergraduate students sexually harassed freshmen and that some smoked marijuana at the camp in Tai Tong.

It is understood students, including Tang, played a group game on the August 20 evening, which required participants to stand in line with students, putting their hands on the shoulders of the person in front of them.

Another female was supposed to stand behind the teenage girl, but the alleged assailant suddenly jumped in the queue and stood behind the freshman, touching her back and buttocks.

When students were chatting at around 2 am on August 21, the freshman was allegedly harassed again, with the male student grabbing her arm while he was telling a "dirty story."

It is understood police have yet to find evidence concerning other allegations, including seniors smoking marijuana.