Ex-warden at Hong Kong care home for people with mental disabilities faces another rape charge

A former employee at a Hong Kong care home for people with intellectual disabilities has been accused of sexually assaulting a woman five times last year after facing an additional charge of rape.

Prosecutors on Monday slapped the fifth count of rape against Chung Pui-kei, 38, formerly an assistant warden at the Hong Chi Pinehill Integrated Vocational Training Centre in Tai Po, local media reported.

Chung is accused of raping a woman, identified in court only as Y, on multiple occasions last year, which were on July 13, 21, 28, as well as on August 3 and 9-10.

The prosecution dropped a previous charge of “gross indecency by man with male mentally incapacitated person.” Chung was previously accused of sexually assaulting a man with an intellectual disability, identified as X, on August 3.

Magistrate Kenneth Chan of the Fanling Magistrates’ Courts ordered the case to be adjourned to June 5 at the Eastern Magistrates’ Court.

Chan also issued an anonymity order to protect the identity of the alleged female victim, Y, from being disclosed, including by the media.

Chung, who did not apply for bail, has been remanded in custody pending his next court appearance.

The former warden last appeared in court in November, months after the alleged assaults took place.

The Hong Chi Association, which runs the care home, issued a statement in October, saying that it had fired an employee over a “serious breach of the Association’s code of conduct” and that an independent review committee had been appointed to examine protective measures in its facilities.

Chief Executive John Lee said in October that the alleged crime was “despicable and shameless” and that the Social Welfare Department must ensure care homes in the city operate under effective supervision.

According to the Hong Chi Association, the Pinehill Integrated Vocational Training Centre serves adults with mild and moderate intellectual disabilities, as well as offering residential services.