‘Licked her glasses’: Police staffer’s ‘violating’ act against colleague

A Queensland Police protective services officer has faced court for a “violating” act in which he licked his female co-worker’s glasses – thinking it was “funny”.

Michael Leonard Hong leaving Brisbane Arrest Court. Picture: Liam Kidston

A Queensland Police protective services officer has faced court for a “violating” act in which he licked his female co-worker’s glasses – thinking it was “funny”.

Michael Leonard Hong, 59, pleaded guilty on Friday morning to one count of common assault.

The court heard the assault related to an incident involving a female co-worker last October at Police Headquarters on Roma Street.

The two had both been working in the same area when Hong had leaned in towards the woman’s face and licked her glasses, the court was told.

The woman first asked if he had “kissed” her glasses, and Hong responded “no, I licked them”.

When asked why, the court heard he had responded that “it was funny”.

Defence barrister Ruth O’Gorman said Hong, the woman and other officers had been joking around with “physical banter” prior to the incident.

She submitted that it had simply been a social faux pas, but Magistrate Julian Noud said it went “well beyond” that.

“It’d be a shocking thing to happen … It’d be unexpected,” he said.

The woman’s victim impact statement outlined how she had felt “violated, betrayed and unsafe” after the incident.

The court heard she and Hong had been friends for some years and had trusted him.

Ms O’Gorman noted that when the woman had spoken with Hong privately the next day about the incident, he had immediately apologised.

She said Hong had no criminal history and that references tendered on his behalf spoke to his “exemplary” employment history and lack of any prior unprofessional behaviour.

Ms O’Gorman said her client had joined the Australian Defence Force after graduating school, and had since worked in protective roles for Queensland Corrective Services, Queensland Health, and Queensland Police.

She said the community owed her client a “debt of gratitude” for his work in the protective services industry – during which he had sustained a number of serious injuries including being stabbed in the neck.

Ms O’Gorman submitted that Hong could be discharged without punishment, saying he had already experienced extra-curial punishment including suspension from service, ongoing disciplinary action, and media coverage.

She said her client had been struggling with major depression at the time, which she said may go some way to explain his out of character conduct.

Mr Noud said he accepted Hong was unlikely to come before the courts again, but said general deterrence was another factor he had to consider.

He ultimately ordered Hong to be of good behaviour for nine months, with a $650 recognisance.

No conviction was recorded.