Former Hong Kong Prison Guard Jailed 3 Years for Brutal Attack on Inmate

A former correctional officer in Hong Kong has been sentenced to three years in prison after a court ruled he ordered and took part in an assault on an inmate at Pik Uk Prison in December 2023. Tam Lik-chung, formerly an assistant officer with the Correctional Services Department, pleaded guilty earlier this year to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and perverting the course of justice.

District Court Judge Frankie Yiu delivered the three-year sentence, noting that the former prison guard’s judgment had been clouded by power. According to court details presented during the proceedings, the abuse of authority occurred following a dispute in an activity room where staff and inmates had been playing bingo.

Legal proceedings also addressed the roles of several inmates who participated in or witnessed the incident, resulting in varying prison terms for the defendants involved.

Court Details and Findings on the Pik Uk Prison Assault

The incident began when an inmate threw baby powder on Tam from behind while staff and prisoners were gathered in an activity room at Pik Uk Correctional Institution. After the bingo game concluded, Tam directed the victim to a staircase and ordered him to remove his trousers before assaulting him with a wooden stick multiple times through his underwear.

Judge Yiu stated during sentencing that Tam had severely wounded the inmate, though he noted the victim had ultimately made a full recovery after undergoing hospital surgery that temporarily required a stoma bag. Beyond the physical assault, Tam attempted to cover up the crime by instructing the victim to lie about the origin of his injuries, telling him to claim he had scratched himself with a pen after noticing blood.

The victim did not immediately report the attack, eventually revealing the cause of his injuries to his family two weeks later. Tam pleaded guilty to both charges in April, leading to his conviction and the loss of his job within the Correctional Services Department.

Roles and Sentences of Co-Defendants

Alongside the primary offender, several inmates faced charges related to their involvement in the December 2023 assault. Bosco Lee and Brian Lam contested the wounding charges against them but were found guilty by the court. Another inmate, Ho Lik-wun, pleaded guilty to the wounding charge, while a fourth inmate was found not guilty.

Defense attorneys representing Lam and Ho argued during mitigation pleas that their clients acted under duress, stating that Tam was the instigator and that they did not dare to defy a corrections officer’s authority. Lee, who is already serving a 14-year sentence for drug trafficking, had his lawyer appeal for leniency from the bench.

Judge Yiu handed down prison sentences reflecting each defendant’s degree of participation:

• Tam Lik-chung: Sentenced to three years in prison for wounding with intent and perverting the course of justice, following his guilty plea.
• Brian Lam: Sentenced to six months in prison. Court records showed Lam handed the stick to Tam and served as the victim’s cellmate; however, he also rendered aid after the attack and triggered an emergency alarm when the victim’s condition worsened. The victim later stated in court that he forgave Lam.
• Bosco Lee: Sentenced to six months in prison following his conviction for assisting in the assault.
• Ho Lik-wun: Sentenced to four months in prison after pleading guilty to the wounding charge.

Additionally, a second correctional officer who stood trial in connection with the case was acquitted of a single charge of misconduct in public office.

Broader Implications for Correctional Oversight