A 48-year-old senior Hong Kong Customs officer has denied indecently assaulting a female colleague at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port. The case has been adjourned to September 10, 2026, for a decision, and Tong Kin Chung has been granted bail pending the outcome.

Tong, who is married, faces one count over an alleged incident at about 10pm on December 3, 2025. The prosecution says the contact took place in a room in the restricted area of the cargo examination building at the Hong Kong port.

The prosecution alleges that Tong hit or patted colleague X on her waist and buttocks while they were at the customs facility. The allegation remains disputed and has not been determined by the court.

Giving evidence in his own defence, Tong said he saw X looking exhausted and lightly tapped the middle or right side of her back once. He said the gesture was intended to show concern, encouragement or comfort, rather than to assault her indecently.

Tong said X objected immediately, telling him in substance not to touch or pat her, and that he apologised. He also said he commonly patted people’s backs or shoulders while speaking to them or offering encouragement, but would be careful when dealing with women. He told the court he considered that he had done nothing wrong and would not indecently assault any woman, including a female colleague.

The prosecution challenged his evidence, arguing that his answers were inconsistent on whether he needed to consider another person’s wishes before touching them. The defence, meanwhile, challenged X’s credibility and questioned her account of her response after the alleged incident, as well as the timing and significance of reported emotional problems and medical consultations. These competing accounts have not been resolved.

The magistrate had found that a prima facie case was established before Tong testified. The defence said he had no previous criminal convictions, while a defence witness described him as honest and upright. Tong joined Hong Kong Customs in May 1995 and became a senior officer in March 2021.

The court is scheduled to deliver its decision on September 10, 2026. Tong remains on bail, and the court has yet to determine whether the alleged contact occurred as described by the prosecution or as maintained in his defence.