{
  "id": 9265779,
  "title": "Coach who slapped boy, 8, at Hong Kong training camp spared criminal charges",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/coach-who-slapped-boy-8-at-hong-kong-training-camp-spared-criminal-9265779",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-23T04:13:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3368462/coach-who-slapped-boy-8-hong-kong-training-camp-spared-criminal-charges"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A Hong Kong court has spared a coach from criminal charges after she agreed to a three-year good behaviour bond for allegedly slapping an eight-year-old boy during a training camp on Cheung Chau island. The coach, Zhao Yiqun, 51, faced two child abuse charges following the incident on August 8, 2024, where she reportedly ordered the boy to stand under the hot sun for 15 to 25 minutes when temperatures reached 31 degrees Celsius (87.8 Fahrenheit). She also allegedly slapped the child's right cheek. The boy informed his mother upon returning home, triggering the investigation. Zhao's lawyer informed Chief Magistrate Victor So Wai-tak that the Department of Justice would not continue the prosecution, as the parties had reached an agreement. Under the good behaviour bond, Zhao must not commit any criminal acts of a similar nature within the next three years, or she will have to pay HK$2,000 (US$255) and face more severe penalties.",
  "summary": "A coach accused of slapping an eight-year-old boy and ordering him to stand under the hot sun during a training camp in Hong Kong has been spared from criminal prosecution after she agreed to a three-year good behaviour bond. Chief Magistrate Victor So Wai-tak on Wednesday imposed the bond on Zhao Yiqun, 51, who faced two child abuse charges after she was alleged to have mistreated the boy during…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
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        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/the-question-hong-kong-charities-must-answer",
        "published": "2026-09-22T21:30:05.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Hong Kong Free Press",
        "title": "Hong Kong court to rule on ex-Stand News editor’s appeal bid against sedition conviction in 6 months",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/hong-kong-court-to-rule-on-ex-stand-news-editors-appeal-bid-against",
        "published": "2026-09-23T02:36:54.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}