The "Tongleju", a subsidiary of the Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children, broke out last year in a child abuse scandal. Eight of the defendants appeared in the Kowloon City Court today (4th).
Following two female staff who pleaded guilty and were sentenced to prison, two more pleaded guilty to assault, abuse and neglect (hereinafter referred to as child abuse) against children or juveniles under their care. The children aged 1 and 2, one of whom was a 1-year-old boy, was beaten in the face until he fell on the inference bed because he put the toy on his head, and the defendant took the toy.
The magistrate adjourned their sentences.
Two defendants who pleaded guilty: Li Peizhen (32) pleaded guilty to one count of child abuse involving 2-year-old girl H; and Zhang Huiyan (30), who pleaded guilty to two counts of child abuse involving 1-year-old boys K and AH.
The facts of the case allege that in late 2021, the Society for the Protection of Children received an email complaint from a neighbouring resident claiming to have seen a staff member abusing children at the Tongleju Playground.
Police reviewed all video footage from September to December 2021 and found 407 cases of child abuse.
Tong Le Ju, located in Mong Kok, received complaints from nearby residents last year. After investigation, the police revealed 407 suspected child abuse incidents.
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Li will take a statement that does not harm the rights of the defendant
In response to Li Peizhen's case, it is said that Li was sitting in an activity room with 3 children on December 12, 2020. The girl H tried to take something from Li but was beaten by Li, and Li was beaten back by H. Li saw this Hit H in the face, H thus fell on the cushion and wiggled his feet.
Li slapped H's foot vigorously again, pulled his leg in front of him, and slapped H twice.
Li's case was adjourned to September 29 to plead for mercy. The defense revealed that Li would take a statement that would not harm the rights of the defendant, so the court did not request any reports for him for the time being.
1-year-old boy beaten with toys on head
As for Zhang Huiyan's case, on November 29 of the same year, after a 1-year-old boy K dropped the quilt on the ground in his crib, Zhang hit K on the head with his right hand, and K fell on the bed.
After K stood up again, Zhang, who picked up the quilt, slapped K in the face vigorously, causing K to fall again; on December 5, when Zhang was cleaning the room, the boy AH put the toy in his hand on his head, Zhang Tuxing snatched the toy and pushed AH's head. AH's head hit the side of the bed, and Zhang then hit AH's face twice with his hands.
Zhang's case was adjourned until Aug. 18 for sentencing while a background report was requested.
Eight defendants in the child abuse case involving Tongleju were arraigned, two of whom pleaded guilty, one was scheduled for trial, and five were charged with additional charges.
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First defendant to deny charges in January trial
It is also the first time that a defendant has denied the charge. The defendant, Chen Aiying, has denied a case involving a 2-year-old boy E. The case is scheduled to start on January 18, 2023. The prosecution will call a public witness, and another 90 seconds Fragments are presented.
The defense said it would dispute the reasons and motives for the defendants' actions.
5 defendants charged
Another 5 defendants do not need to answer for the time being. Among them, Fu Yuelang (25 years old) was charged with 8 crimes, involving 4 boys and 4 unknown children; Li Huiwen (24 years old) was charged with 9 crimes, involving 5 men and 1 The girl and 3 unknown children; Xie Xiuwei (25 years old) was charged with 3 crimes involving 3 children.
The remaining Chow Cuiying (45) and Liu Luqi (24) remain charged with one count of child abuse each.
All five were released on bail until September 16.
Case No.: KCCC 88, 285, 350, 597, 649, 1883-1888/ 2022
Tong Leju female staff pleaded guilty to 3 child abuse, the officer said it was unbelievable that such a humiliating act was sentenced to about 7 months in prison in Tong Le Ju child abuse case, and another female defendant pleaded guilty to abusing 3 children within days, including vigorously stepping on a child's lower body Tong Le Ju child abuse Case｜The first female child care worker who pleads guilty to abusing a 2-year-old boy sentenced to 4 months in prison Case｜Police detained 6 female staff, a total of 32 people were arrested in connection with the case