Two women held after security guard, 85, beaten up
Top News | Stacy Shi 19 Jun 2024
An 85-year-old security guard is in critical condition with head injuries after he was allegedly beaten by a 34-year-old drunk woman in a Tai Kok Tsui building during an argument.
It is understood that the woman, Lam, got into a violent argument with the old man, Chan, after he let Lam's female friend, 33, into the Cosmopolitan Estates' Tai Wai Building at around 3am yesterday.
Upon receiving a report filed by the friend, police officers arrived at the scene and discovered the unconscious security guard suffering from head injuries. He was immediately transported to Kwong Wah Hospital.
Police later arrested the two women on suspicion of "causing bodily harm." They have been detained for further investigation.
Sources said Chan's heartbeat and breathing have resumed, but he was still in critical condition as of last night.
The case has been handed over to Mong Kok district's crime division.
According to a morning-shift security guard, Chan worked as a relief security guard in the estate. He has been on duty at Tai Wai Building for nearly five days. It is understood that Lam, a cook who resides in the building, was drunk and sent home by her saleswoman-friend, in the early hours.
As they arrived at the building, the two got into an argument, with Lam angrily leaving her friend behind and entering the building alone.
However, Chan opened the gate for the friend, which led to the verbal altercation between Lam and the security guard.
The dispute escalated into a physical confrontation, with Lam allegedly beating Chan on the head repeatedly, causing him to pass out.
Hong Kong Institute of Security Professionals chairman Lau Ho-wing said security guards for single private residential buildings are generally not equipped with self-defense gears, such as shields or security batons, and security companies seldom train them to handle conflicts.
"But I believe Hong Kong has a low crime rate, and the case was an isolated incident," Lau said.
"There is no need to amend the legislation to equip security guards with self-defense gear, in order to prevent them getting involved in violent cases."
To reduce the chances of security guards being attacked, he suggested implementing preventive measures, such as installing access control systems that require residents to swipe a card when entering the premises.
