27 Oct 1987
THE QUEEN v. CHENG KAM MING
- Citation
- THE QUEEN v. CHENG KAM MING
- Court
- Court of First Instance
- Case number
- HCMA657/1987
Section 6 of the Dangerous Goods Ordinance displaces the normal presumption of mens rea in relation to the nature of stored goods: once the prosecution proves a custodial relationship and that the defendant knew of the existence of the goods, the defendant is strictly liable for failing to ascertain whether those goods were dangerous, because the statute targets public safety and strict liability furthers its object by promoting vigilance.