Off-duty cop jailed two years after asking crash victim not to file police report

26-04-2024 15:29 HKT

A 28-year-old off-duty cop was jailed for two years for perverting the course of justice after he hit a male pedestrian in Cheung Sha Wan with his Tesla while drunk and continuously asked the victim not to file a police report in May 2022.

The defendant Ho Ka-wing was earlier found guilty of the charge. He had also admitted to drunk driving, dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm and driving a defective vehicle.

At the District Court on Thursday, judge Ada Yim Shun-yee also slapped Ho with a HK$500 fine, suspended his driving license for three years and ordered him to attend a driving improvement course.

Passing down the sentence, Yim scolded Ho saying it was “extremely selfish” of Ho to drive from Mong Kok to Cheung Sha Wan despite knowing he was very drunk. Yim also blasted Ho for running traffic lights, speeding, and hitting the victim, saying he completely disregarded the safety of other pedestrians and drivers.

Yim pointed out that the victim Chan, who sustained a severe bone fracture to his right foot after the crash, had to undergo three surgeries and was dependent on crutches for more than a year.

Chan also suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and has to undertake occupational therapy, the judge noted.

Earlier in mitigation, the defense counsel said Ho was a marine police officer who loved his job. He regrets his actions very deeply since this case has cost him the job he has been pursuing for years and is now condemned by his own conscience.

Yet, Yim said Ho should have known that society has higher expectations of his conduct given his identity as a police officer and added that he ruined his police career himself. Still, given his later change in his driving attitude, Yim reduced the term to 24 months.

The court earlier heard that around 4 am on May 28, 2022, the Tesla driven by Ho mounted the sidewalk and rammed into Sun Lok Fu Bakery in Cheung Sha Wan, hitting Chan. Ho then continuously asked Chan not to call the police and claimed he would pay Chan whatever he wanted.