Hong Kong police arrest man, 39, for allegedly spitting on officer after being found in breach of mask-wearing rules
- He complained of feeling unwell but turned emotional and had to be subdued after an ambulance arrived
- Police issued the suspect a HK$5,000 fine for breaching the mask mandate
A 39-year-old Hong Kong man has been arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer by spitting on him after being found flouting the mask-wearing rule in public areas
Police approached the man on Ting Kok Road in the Tai Mei Tuk area of Tai Po in the New Territories, shortly before 12.30am on Monday.
As officers were about to issue a HK$5,000 (US$638) fixed penalty ticket to him for breaching the mask mandate, he complained of feeling unwell, according to the force.
When an ambulance arrived at the scene, the man turned emotional and police said he spat on an officer’s uniform. He was subsequently subdued.
The suspect was sent to Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital for a check-up.
Police detained him on suspicion of assaulting an officer and also fined him HK$5,000 for violating social-distancing rules. Currently, members of the public must wear face masks in public places.
As of noon, the suspect was still being held for questioning. Detectives from the Tai Po criminal investigation unit are following up on the case.
