******************************************************
A man was sentenced to one month's imprisonment, suspended for one year, and fined $2,000 after pleading guilty in Tuen Mun Magistrates' Court today (January 29) for criminally intimidating an Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) officer.
On December 17 last year, an FEHD officer was taking enforcement action at a shop in Yan Ching Street, Tuen Mun, and warned the man not to illegally extend the business area. He refused to co-operate and criminally intimidated the FEHD officer at the scene.
An FEHD spokesman reminded members of the public to co-operate with law enforcement officers. According to section 139 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Chapter 132), any person who wilfully obstructs, resists or uses abusive language against any law enforcement officer in the execution of his duties is liable to a maximum fine of $25,000 and six months' imprisonment.
"Criminally intimating a public officer is unlawful and offenders would have a criminal record when convicted," he added. The spokesman stated that according to section 4A of the Summary Offences Ordinance (Chapter 228), no owner shall extend his business area illegally. Otherwise he shall be liable to a fine of $5,000 or to imprisonment for three months.
Ends/Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Issued at HKT 18:18
NNNN
