Off-duty Hong Kong policeman jailed over drink-driving crash
AM730 · 1 SOURCESabout 4 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
An off-duty Hong Kong police sergeant has been jailed for two weeks after admitting drink-driving and a series of traffic offences arising from crashes involving a police vehicle and roadside property. The Kwun Tong court also fined him HK$20,000 and banned him from driving for two years, with the magistrate stressing that a police officer should not ignore the law, especially after damaging public and private property and leaving without reporting it .
Key Points
- Defendant Sham Wing-yin, 57, a police sergeant, admitted two dangerous driving charges and several drink-driving and failure-to-stop offences .
- On the night of January 6, after going off duty, he walked in a zigzag manner before driving from East Kowloon Regional Headquarters .
- He allegedly failed to steer properly, hit a police vehicle in the headquarters car park, and left without stopping or reporting .
- Hours later, near the northbound entrance of Tate’s Cairn Tunnel, he changed lanes suddenly, hit cones and a traffic sign, forcing a bus to brake .
- A breath test later recorded 46 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, above the prescribed legal limit .
Why It Matters
The ruling underscores the court’s view that drink-driving by a serving police officer is an aggravating factor, particularly when the conduct occurs at police facilities and is followed by attempts to distance himself from the incidents. The case also highlights how prior service, commendations and support from more than 20 superiors and colleagues did not prevent an immediate custodial sentence .