Man pleads not guilty to assault on boy, 13, at Hong Kong Islamic learning centre
- Shahzad Khan, 35, denies inflicting grievous bodily harm on boy last August during lesson at centre in Quarry Bay
- Khan slapped the 13-year-old’s back, hands, face five times, and punched his glasses
An unemployed man has pleaded not guilty to slapping a 13-year-old boy who ended up suffering from a detached retina after the alleged assault at an Islamic learning centre.
Shahzad Khan, 35, denied inflicting grievous bodily harm to the boy in August last year during a Koran lesson at a centre in Quarry Bay, the Eastern Court heard on Thursday.
Principal Magistrate Ivy Chui Yee-mei asked about the defence’s argument against the prosecution allegation that Khan had slapped the boy’s back, hands and face five times and punched his glasses.
“The defendant did not touch or hit the victim, is that your case?” Chui asked his defence.
Counsel for the defence said Khan did not have any physical contact with the boy and that the trial would centre on two video recordings showing interviews with police by the defendant, as well as a WhatsApp audio message he sent to one of the prosecution witnesses.
The prosecution said six witnesses, including the boy, who is expected give evidence remotely, would be called.
