Cop kicked woman in bag grab

Adele Wong

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

A police officer has admitted stealing a woman's handbag in the street after kicking her as she lay on the ground.

Long-serving constable Leung Wai-hung pleaded guilty at the District Court yesterday to one count of robbery.

Leung, 44, snatched Cheung So-ching's bag, which contained more than 10,000 yuan (HK$11,338), in Tuen Mun last July.

The case was adjourned for sentencing, pending a background report.

Judge Joseph Yau Chi-lap noted that Leung was of good character and had been in the force for 25 years, saying that his crime marked a fall from grace.

In mitigation, Leung claimed to have been in financial difficulties at the time of the crime. Letters were also submitted to the court from Leung's wife, his brother and two daughters.

ADVERTISEMENT

Dressed in a wig, a cap, and mask, Leung sneaked up behind Cheung, 53, who was returning to her Greenland Garden flat at around 11am on July 9.

The court heard that Leung yanked the woman's handbag out of her arms, causing her to lose her balance and fall.

He then kicked her arms and legs and hit her on the head with the bag before trying to flee.

Cheung shouted to passersby for help and Leung was pinned to the ground after a short chase. She was able to retrieve her handbag.

Leung joined the police force in 1983 and his family has strong links to it.

His father was a senior police officer who was acquitted of murdering a fellow officer and has since left the force.

His youngest brother was also an officer who was discharged from the force in 1996.