Alleged ear-biter faces injunction

The High Court granted an injunction banning a man who allegedly bit off part of Taikoo Shing district councilor Andrew Chiu Ka-yin's ear from transferring profits he received from selling his flat.

It also accepted an application from Chiu to seek compensation from the alleged attacker.

Chiu, whose left ear was partially bitten off in November last year, together with another three injured in the incident applied to the High Court for the injunction on Monday.

Chiu said he had learned from media reports that Joe Chen was selling his apartment at Taikoo Shing at a much lower price than its market value, and the transaction was done as of yesterday.

"I also knew from my legal team that [Chen] is holding a passport from a small country in South America," Chiu said yesterday. "What else can it be except trying to move his assets out of Hong Kong?"

Chiu said the injunction would prevent Chen from obtaining the money he received from selling his flat, with the money to be held temporarily by the law firm that assisted with the sale.

They also filed personal injury claims against Chen on Monday, with both the injunction approved and the application for the claim accepted.

High Court Justice Russell Coleman handled the case on the same night - amid measures that only urgent and essential cases be handled by courts.

This came three months after the bloody incident at Taikoo Shing when three people were attacked by a knife-wielding man after a heated political argument.

Chiu's left ear was partially bitten by the man when he tried to stop the attack.

Chen, 49, was arrested for three counts including wounding with intent and causing grievous bodily harm with intent and is now under custody.

Chiu said on a Facebook post yesterday that he and the other two victims still suffer from different extents of sequela. He said the wound on his left ear had recovered, but nerve damage from the attack meant he suffers from neck pain and headaches.

angel.kwan@singtaonewscorp.com