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Brian Wong

The alleged ringleader in the fatal assault of an entrepreneur during a bar fight last month has told a Hong Kong court that he was deprived of basic necessities while being held in a “filthy” police cell.
Tsang Wai-ching, 40, was escorted to Kowloon City Court on Tuesday to face a murder charge over the attack on 32-year-old Issac Yeung Kam-chuen at an upstairs bar on Cameron Road in Tsim Sha Tsui on July 25.
Engineering manager Cheng Yuk-lun, 52, was also brought to court for allegedly assisting an offender by arranging getaway cars to help Tsang evade justice.
Tsang, who said he was unemployed, claimed he had been physically abused by police since his arrest on August 1, after spending a week on the run.
He complained about poor sanitary conditions at the police station and urged the court to send him to prison instead of returning him to police custody pending two identification parades later this week.
“The cell is damp and filthy. The toilet is clogged and infested with flies,” the defendant said.
“I’m very happy to assist in the investigation, but I just want a better living environment. [By the time of the next hearing,] I will have spent eight days without sunlight. The takeaway container from my first meal is still in my cell.”
Magistrate Philip Chan Chee-fai noted the housing arrangement of detainees fell outside the court’s jurisdiction, adding that Tsang’s proposal would pose significant administrative difficulties.
“I hope you understand where the limit of the court’s power lies. It’s not the case that you can be detained at a location of your choice,” he said.
Prosecutors said police could provide the accused with disposable underwear, towels, a toothbrush and toothpaste at his request.
They asked that Tsang be detained by police until his next court appearance on Saturday, while seeking a 12-week adjournment in Cheng’s case pending further investigations.
Chan granted the prosecution’s request before dismissing Cheng’s bail application.
Tsang did not apply for bail, as murder suspects can only make such applications before a High Court judge.
Cheng and other defendants previously charged in the case will return to the same court on October 29.
Yeung died on July 31 after spending five days in intensive care at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Police apprehended nine men and three women aged 24 to 52 following the alleged murder, charging six of them.
The force also deployed 800 officers to crack down on triad-related activities at entertainment premises in western Kowloon, resulting in a further 90 arrests.
The investigation by the Kowloon West regional anti-triad unit continues.


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Hong Kong courts

The defendant was escorted to Kowloon City Court to face a murder charge. Photo: Sun Yeung

The accused was sentenced at West Kowloon Court on Tuesday. Photo: Jelly Tse

The four defendants have been jailed over two foiled plots to steal from the French fashion house’s storage spaces at the Goodman Interlink warehouse. Photo: Handout

The High Court sentenced the four defendants on Monday. Photo: Sun Yeung

News

Hong Kong

Law and Crime

Defendant complains of poor sanitary conditions in police custody, asks court to send him to prison instead pending identification parades


Defendant complains of poor sanitary conditions in police custody, asks court to send him to prison instead pending identification parades.


Crime in Hong Kong

‘Damp and filthy’: murder suspect says basic necessities denied in custody

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Defendant complains of poor sanitary conditions in police custody, asks court to send him to prison instead pending identification parades

Defendant complains of poor sanitary conditions in police custody, asks court to send him to prison instead pending identification parades