plaintiff:
  - HKSAR

defendant:
  - NG SHEUNG YEE

case_reason: Causing grievous bodily harm by dangerous driving, contrary to section 36A of the Road Traffic Ordinance. The defendant failed to comply with a red traffic light at a pedestrian crossing on Tai Po Road and struck a pedestrian who was lawfully crossing when the pedestrian light was green.

judgment_summary: The defendant, a 76-year-old surgeon with 52 years of medical practice and an impeccable driving record since 1967, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm by dangerous driving. On 2 November 2019, while driving private car GH 9701 on Tai Po Road, the defendant failed to stop at a red traffic light at a pedestrian crossing outside Savannah College of Art and Design and struck Mr Tam, who was crossing legally. Mr Tam sustained a fractured right ankle requiring surgery and 189 days of sick leave. The court found the defendant's driving fell within the intermediate category of culpability, accepting that he did not deliberately run the red light but failed to keep proper lookout due to inattention. The court adopted a starting point of 12 months' imprisonment after trial, reduced to 9 months for the late guilty plea. Considering the defendant's age, positive good character, significant contributions to medicine and society, clean traffic record, genuine remorse, and responsibility to care for his disabled wife, the court suspended the 9-month sentence for 12 months. The defendant was also disqualified from driving for 2 years and ordered to pass a competency test before driving again.

jurisdiction_code: HKDC

jurisdiction_name: District Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

case_location: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

case_object:
  - Dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm
  - Traffic safety at pedestrian crossings
  - Sentencing considerations for elderly offenders of good character
  - Suspended sentence in exceptional circumstances

judgment_result:
  - charge: Causing grievous bodily harm by dangerous driving contrary to section 36A of the Road Traffic Ordinance
    result: Guilty plea accepted. Sentenced to 9 months' imprisonment suspended for 12 months. Disqualified from driving for 2 years. Ordered to pass driving competency test before resuming driving.

involved_entities:
  - entity_name: HH Judge Dufton
    reason: District Judge who presided over the case and delivered the sentence
  - entity_name: Mr Phil Chau
    reason: Counsel on fiat representing HKSAR (prosecution)
  - entity_name: Mr Derek Chan SC
    reason: Senior Counsel leading the defence team for the defendant
  - entity_name: Ms Jolie Chao
    reason: Defence counsel assisting Mr Derek Chan SC
  - entity_name: Ms Vanessa Ho
    reason: Defence counsel assisting Mr Derek Chan SC
  - entity_name: Wong & Co
    reason: Solicitors instructing the defence counsel
  - entity_name: Mr Tam
    reason: Victim who was struck by the defendant's vehicle while crossing at a pedestrian crossing, sustained fractured right ankle
  - entity_name: Mr Chan (witness)
    reason: Driver of light goods vehicle SX 9182 who witnessed the accident and stopped at the red light
  - entity_name: Dr Kan
    reason: Neurologist consulted by the defendant regarding possible medical explanation for the incident
  - entity_name: Savannah College of Art and Design
    reason: Location landmark where the pedestrian crossing and accident occurred on Tai Po Road