A 77-year-old former coach accused of indecently assaulting his student almost a decade ago has been granted bail by a court.

The defendant has not been named and is only known as W.H. due to the sensitivity of the case. He has been charged with molesting X at Tai Po on a day between September 1, 2009 and April 8, 2010. He appeared before the Fanling Magistrates’ Court on Friday morning.

fanling magistrates court
Fanling Magistrates’ Court. Photo: GovHK.

The case has been adjourned till June 15, when the defendant is to enter a plea. He has been released on HK$5,000 bail in the meantime, and is not allowed to leave the city or contact the prosecution witness during this period.

The defence counsel said that the incident has been widely reported in the media and the accused’s employment has been terminated as a result, RTHK reported.

Under the Crimes Ordinance, a person who indecently assaults another person faces up to 10 years in jail if convicted.

Karen is a journalist and writer covering politics and legal affairs in Hong Kong for HKFP. She has also written features on human rights, public space, regional legal developments, social and grassroots activism, and arts & culture. She is a BA and LLB graduate from the University of Hong Kong.