Expat pilot who violated quarantine order to buy groceries spared jail 

A teen has been sentenced to time at a training center after pleading guilty to raping his younger sister. (Photo: Information Services Department)
A teen has been sentenced to time at a training center after pleading guilty to raping his younger sister. (Photo: Information Services Department)

A pilot who violated his quarantine order last year was spared jail Tuesday after successfully appealing his sentence.

Simon Hurek, 40, was caught buying groceries at a supermarket in March 2020 when he was meant to be quarantining at home, according to Ming Pao.

Hurek, who was originally sentenced to 10 days in jail, will instead pay a fine of HK$15,000 (US$1,926).

The defence argued that he only went to the supermarket as he had run out of food at home, and was not breaching quarantine to engage in social activities. He was also wearing a mask during his supermarket trip. (Masks were not yet mandated in Hong Kong at the time.)

Read more: We’ve got a runner: Man escapes hotel quarantine, Penny’s Bay before being caught at Tseung Kwan O flat

Breaching compulsory quarantine orders is a criminal offence under local laws. Persons convicted face imprisonment for up to three months or a fine of HK$15,000 (US$1,926).

According to official figures, there have been 166 cases of quarantine breaches since the law was implemented.



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