A 29-year-old firefighter has been sentenced to six years and three months in prison after being found guilty of raping a woman who was heavily intoxicated at a Mong Kok hotel in 2021.
The incident occurred on August 20, 2021, when the victim, then 26, met two off-duty firefighters at the Royal Plaza Hotel. Prosecutors said she was too drunk to consent and was assaulted while semi-conscious.
After an eight-hour deliberation, the jury convicted Chan Cheuk-hin of rape by a 5-2 majority, while his co-defendant was acquitted.
In mitigation, the defense said Chan supported his family, completed a degree while battling cancer, and argued the offense was a momentary lapse.
High Court Judge William Tam Yiu-ho described Chan’s actions as “abhorrent” and noted he took advantage of the victim’s vulnerable state. The court also highlighted the absence of protection during the assault, which created risks of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.
During sentencing, the judge said Chan had shown a lack of regard for the victim’s feelings, leaving her with long-term psychological trauma including depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.
The court acknowledged Chan’s otherwise clean record and past hardships, including battling cancer during his studies. However, the judge stressed that the gravity of the crime warranted a severe custodial sentence.
