香港特別行政區 訴 李健聰

香港特別行政區 訴 李健聰

The trial judge did not err: he legitimately exercised fact‑finding discretion, observed the complainant and found her overall demeanour and evidence credible, medical findings were consistent with the complainant's account, the defence account was implausible and the applicant's police admissions undermined his...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2020] HKCA 282
Parties
Respondent: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Applicant: Li Kin‑chung
Court
Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction
Hong Kong
Judgment Date
7 May 2020
Case Number
CACC212/2018
Procedural Posture
Conviction Appeal Permission Application (criminal) / Permission Application Refused by Court of Appeal Judge
Outcome
Application for leave to appeal conviction refused
Legal Topics
Indecent Assault, Credibility of Child Witness, Recent Complaint, Medical Evidence, Police Cautioned Statements
Source Language
ch
Criminal Law Evidence Sexual Offences Child Protection Indecent Assault Credibility of Child Witness Recent Complaint Medical Evidence +1 more

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Parties

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Respondent

Li Kin‑chung

Applicant

Procedural Posture

Conviction Appeal Permission Application (criminal) / Permission Application Refused by Court of Appeal Judge

  1. 1 Whether the trial judge erred in assessing the credibility and reliability of a six‑year‑old complainant
  2. 2 Whether the trial judge improperly treated the complainant's recent complaint as corroboration
  3. 3 Whether the trial judge failed to consider the whole of the evidence before rejecting the defence

Ratio Decidendi

The trial judge did not err: he legitimately exercised fact‑finding discretion, observed the complainant and found her overall demeanour and evidence credible, medical findings were consistent with the complainant's account, the defence account was implausible and the applicant's police admissions undermined his case; therefore there was no arguable ground for a conviction appeal and leave is refused.

Court Disposition

Application for leave to appeal conviction refused

Orders

  • Leave to appeal conviction refused
  • Applicant advised of right to reapply under Criminal Procedure Ordinance (Cap. 221) s83W(1) and warned of potential wasted time order if future application is without merit