Hong Kong Policeman Jailed for Faking Injury to Avoid 2019 Duty

A Hong Kong court has jailed a suspended police officer for six months for fraud. He pretended to be a personal trainer to get extended sick leave during the city's 2019 social unrest. Jeffrey Tam Shun-wai, 32, was convicted on Tuesday. He deceived a surgeon into granting him 54 days of sick leave by claiming he was a fitness instructor who could not work due to injury. The West Kowloon Court heard that Tam visited the doctor between September and October 2019. He falsely stated his occupation and symptoms. This allowed him to avoid his police duties. Tam denied intentionally deceiving the surgeon, Wilson Tsang Wen-chieng. The court found him guilty of one count of fraud. The sentence highlights the legal consequences of obtaining sick leave under false pretenses. The case occurred during a period of significant operational pressure on Hong Kong police forces.