13-year-old arrested for sexually assaulting 7-year-old girl in Pat Heung

A 13-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of indecent assault against a 7-year-old girl near Ha Tsuen in Pat Heung.

The police received a report from a 32-year-old woman last Saturday (Aug 9) claiming that her daughter had been sexually assaulted by a boy at 6pm that day.

The suspect allegedly approached the girl, hugged her, dragged her to a secluded corner of the pitch, and touched her inappropriately. 

The girl's cries alerted a female passerby, prompting the boy to flee.

After investigating CCTV footage of the area, officers arrested the 13-year-old suspect at 8.30pm in a Pat Heung residence on suspicion of indecent assault. It is understood that the victim and assailant are acquainted.

The suspect has now been released on bail pending further investigation and is set to report to the police in early September.

Following the incident, residents took to neighborhood Facebook groups to warn parents and children to stay vigilant.

Police reiterated that indecent assault is a serious offense. Under Hong Kong law, the maximum penalty for conviction is 10 years' imprisonment.