War of words: retired Hong Kong security guard convicted of graffiti attacks on court buildings

A retired security guard was yesterday convicted of causing criminal damage by writing on the walls of court buildings and the Legal Aid Department.

Chan Tin-fong, 68, claimed in his self-defence during the trial that he had not caused damage to the properties because the words could be cleaned off.

But magistrate Jason Wan Siu-ming said the definition of criminal damage in law was that the actions caused temporary or permanent damage to a property or lowered its value.

"Even though the words could be cleaned, they have already lowered the value of the properties," Wan said.