Officer sues attacker over 2020 July 1 stabbing
HK01 · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago5 MIN
Summary
A police officer wounded during unrest near Victoria Park on Hong Kong Island on July 1, 2020 is pursuing a civil claim against the man convicted of attacking him. The District Court heard that the officer was surrounded and beaten by more than 10 people before suffering a stab wound to his left shoulder or upper arm area, requiring surgery and rehabilitation. He said the incident left him fearful, humiliated and unable to resume the frontline role he had preferred. The judge reserved judgment and said a ruling is expected within three months.
Key Points
- Plaintiff Lui Chun-kit (雷俊傑) sued defendant Wong Kwan-wa (黃鈞華), who was absent and unrepresented; Wong was jailed for five years in 2022 after pleading guilty to wounding with intent and rioting.
- The court had already ruled that Wong was liable, so the trial dealt only with damages, with the officer now seeking at least HK$310,000 instead of an earlier claim of about HK$1 million.
- Lui said he was attacked while grappling with suspects near Victoria Park and later around Causeway Road, suffering blows to the head, back and waist, a brick strike to his foot, and a stab injury that left half his uniform soaked in blood.
- He underwent muscle repair surgery, completed 15 physiotherapy sessions, was assigned light duties until late 2020 or 2021, and was said to have fully recovered by 2022.
- Lui told the court he had expected to transfer from the Police Tactical Unit to the Emergency Unit, but was instead moved to the Public Relations Wing and remains in back-office work, which he described as a painful loss.
Why It Matters
The case shows how criminal convictions linked to the 2020 unrest are continuing to generate follow-on civil litigation over compensation and personal injury. It also illustrates how courts scrutinise damages claims closely, after the judge questioned the plaintiff's earlier, much larger claim and the late bid to add aggravated and punitive damages.