Man Jailed 30 Days For Spitting On Neighbours' Doors

A man was on Tuesday sentenced to jail for 30 days after he admitted to spitting on the doors of his neighbours during a Covid lockdown.

West Kowloon Magistrates’ Court had earlier heard that Ng Lun-chung, 35, spat on the metal gates and doorbells of two flats in Chun Kwai House in Kwai Chung Estate – which was being sealed off for mass testing amid a worsening outbreak in January.

Ng, who lived in a nearby block, had told police that he needed to spit as he suffered from serious allergies that caused him to choke while drinking water.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of spitting in a public place, but the prosecution dropped a loitering charge.

In mitigation, Ng’s lawyer said his client regretted his "disgusting" act, adding that he had learned his lesson after being detained for three months since his arrest in January.

The defence asked for a fine instead of a prison term.

But principal magistrate Ivy Chui said that it was clear from video footage that captured his act that the defendant had deliberately spat outside the flats, neglecting other people's health.

The magistrate called his actions “selfish and unhygienic” which posed infection risks, as the incident happened when the Covid situation was very serious.

Chui said a fine would be insufficient to reflect the seriousness of the case.