A 21-year-old woman has been charged over alleged offences committed in North Point in September 2019, when she was about 14 to 15 years old. The case has been brought forward more than six years after the incident. The defendant had previously left Hong Kong for Australia and was arrested by police after recently returning to the city. The case was first mentioned in court on March 9.
The defendant, Chan Yuk-ching, 21, who reported her occupation as a casino employee, faces two charges: one count of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place and one count of possessing articles with intent to destroy or damage property. The charges allege that on September 8, 2019, in the North Point area, she was found in possession of two laser pointers and three cans of spray paint, with the intention of damaging property belonging to others.
The case was heard by Magistrate Ko Wai-hung. Prosecutors applied for the defendant to not be required to enter a plea at this stage and requested that the hearing be adjourned until April 21 to allow further police investigation. This includes confirming witness arrangements and seeking additional legal advice. The prosecution said the defendant had been arrested by police in 2019 and legal advice had been obtained at the time, but she subsequently left Hong Kong and remained in Australia, meaning additional time was required to reorganise evidence and related materials.
The prosecution did not oppose bail. The defendant was granted bail of HK$10,000 in cash. Bail conditions include not leaving Hong Kong, surrendering all travel documents within 24 hours, residing at the reported address and reporting to a police station twice each week. The case has been adjourned to April 21 for further proceedings.