Off-duty police officer charged over sexual assault of 7-year-old girl who asked for help to get home bailed

An off-duty Hong Kong police officer accused of sexually assaulting a seven-year-old girl at a flat in the New Territories has been granted bail after appearing at a Hong Kong court on Monday.

It is understood the off-duty cop had allegedly committed the crime after offering to help the girl who seemed lost to get home.

The defendant 34-year-old Leung, married, was granted a HK$20,000 cash bail, with a surety of HK$20,000 from his wife. His bail conditions include not contacting prosecution witnesses and not entering the housing estate involved in the case.

He is required to surrender all travel documents and is barred from leaving the city. He must also live at the current address and report to a police station twice a week.

The magistrate adjourned the case to December 18 for the police to carry out further investigation and for the prosecution to obtain legal advice.

The police force confirmed on Sunday that a 34-year-old man surnamed Leung has been suspended from duty. The officer worked for the Kowloon West Regional Police Headquarters.

A spokesman said the force received a report last Wednesday that the man had allegedly sexually assaulted the girl at the flat on Tai Wo Hau Road in Kwai Chung at around 3.45pm that day.

“The force attaches great importance to the conduct of its officers,” the police spokesman said. “The force will not tolerate or condone any unlawful acts committed by any of its officers and will deal with them seriously.”

The off-duty police officer was arrested a day later on suspicion of indecent assault, before being charged on Sunday.