Elderly man denies damaging nun’s grave site
HK01 · 3 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago4 MIN
Summary
An 87-year-old retiree charged over alleged criminal damage at St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery in Happy Valley told the court through his lawyer that he intends to plead not guilty. The defence said the deceased nun buried at the site had cared for him since he came to Hong Kong decades ago, and that he went there with tools because he wanted to repair what he saw as a badly deteriorated grave.
Key Points
- The case was mentioned again at Eastern Magistrates' Courts on October 26, where Chief Magistrate So Wai-tak adjourned proceedings to December 29 for further directions.
- Defendant Cho Yuen-shui (曹元緒), 87, a retiree, faces one count of criminal damage linked to land behind a grave at St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery on Wong Nai Chung Road.
- The charge alleges that on July 24, 2026, he damaged land belonging to the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong without lawful excuse, intending damage or being reckless as to damage.
- Defence counsel said Cho is determined and believes he did not damage the grave, so he insists on pleading not guilty and rejects alternative ways of handling the case.
- The defence also said the grave belonged to a nun who had cared for Cho for 30 to 40 years after his arrival in Hong Kong, and that he often brought tools, glue and mortar-like materials to carry out repairs.
Why It Matters
The next hearing is expected to clarify whether the prosecution and defence will dispute witness evidence and a video-recorded interview, which will shape how the case proceeds in court. Cho remains on HK$2,000 cash bail and is barred from returning to the cemetery site while the case is pending