*******************************************************
An illegal hawker was sentenced to two months¨ imprisonment, suspended for two years, by the Eastern Magistrates¨ Courts today (January 12) for obstructing public officers in performing their duties during a hawker raid in Shau Kei Wan Road.
The incident took place shortly after midnight on February 22 last year.
"A male and a female illegal hawker selling flowers at the location showed resistance when officers of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department tried to arrest them," a department spokesman said.
The man was sentenced to two months¨ imprisonment, suspended for two years, and was fined $2,000 for obstructing public officers in performing their duties. Each illegal hawker was fined a total of $800 for unlicensed hawking and causing obstruction in public place.
"Use of force against public officers is not only wrong, but also carries serious legal consequences," the spokesman warned.
"Members of the public should co-operate with law enforcement officers in the execution of their duties."
Ends/Thursday, January 12, 2006
Issued at HKT 20:11
NNNN
