Community service for vet over rent row

Marcus Lum

A veterinarian who posted his tenant's personal information online over unpaid rent has been sentenced to 100 hours of community service.

Eastern Court deputy magistrate Wallis Chung Wing-sze acknowledged Jimmy Chai Chee-ming actions were motivated by anger but condemned his behavior.

Chai, 44, pleaded guilty to four counts of disclosing personal data without consent.

During sentencing, Chung said that while Chai acted out of anger and frustration, the court could not condone his behavior.

She also said that Chai received positive feedback in his community service report.

Previously without a criminal record, he now faces disciplinary proceedings as a result of the case.

Chung sentenced him to community service in light of his admission of wrongdoing.

The court heard that the tenant, referred to as Y, discovered last February that her personal information - including her name, age, gender, occupation, identity card number and address - had been posted multiple times in a Facebook group between November 2022 and February 2023.

Following this, she lodged a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, leading to Chai's arrest on March 9, 2023.

He admitted to the police that he had published her information.

In mitigation, the defense said that a probation officer noted Chai's "genuine remorse and deep reflection," recommending a community service order of low to medium hours.

Also cited was the potential disciplinary actions he might face as a professional veterinarian.

The defense further said that Y had stopped paying rent two months into her lease, providing various excuses.

Initially identifying herself as a nurse, she later claimed to be a police officer.

Y eventually moved out but still owes four months' rent and money for damage to the unit.

The Lands Tribunal ruled in March that she must pay over HK$100,000 due to the rental dispute, but she has yet to comply.