A Hong Kong coach has been accused of assaulting and abusing an eight-year-old boy, slapping his face and forcing him to stand outside in the blazing sun at a training camp for children.
Eastern Court on Wednesday heard that Zhao Yiqun allegedly ill-treated and assaulted the boy during a training programme at the Jockey Club Ming Fai Camp in Cheung Chau.
The incident, which occurred in August 2024, led to two counts of child abuse against the 51-year-old female coach for causing the boy unnecessary suffering or injury.
The South China Morning Post learned that Zhao allegedly ordered the boy to stand in the sun for 15 to 25 minutes when it was 31 degrees Celsius (87.8 Fahrenheit) outside. She also slapped the child’s right cheek.
The boy reported the incident to his mother upon returning home from camp.
Zhao’s lawyer told the court that the defence had contacted the Department of Justice to negotiate alternative ways to handle the cases, such as entering into a plea bargain.
