R. v. CHANG SIU MING

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF HONG KONG

(Appellate Jurisdiction)

MAGISTRACY APPEAL NO. 833 OF 1995

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J U D G M E N T

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1. This was an appeal against a conviction for assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The only point on the appeal and the reason for my having to allow the appeal was simply that the learned Magistrate stated in his findings that he accepted the evidence from the prosecution as credible and rejected the evidence of the defence witness. But he did so without giving any reason whatsoever for making that decision. It is almost trite law that a magistrate in his findings must give defendants reasons why they are being convicted, and that includes stating why it is that he prefers the evidence of the prosecution to the evidence of the defence. There are innumerable authorities to that effect. The appeal must be allowed.