HK prosecutors drop gun charge against US politician
An American politician who was found with a gun at Hong Kong airport walked free from court on Monday after agreeing to a good behaviour order. Jeff Wilson, a Republican member of the Washington State Senate, was arrested on October 21 for possessing a gun without a licence. Prosecutors at West Kowloon Court agreed to drop the charge – which carries a maximum punishment of 14 years in prison – after Wilson accepted a HK$2,000 bind-over order to keep the peace for a period of two years. Prosecutors said they made the decision because the senator admitted his wrongdoing and had a clear criminal record in Hong Kong. Wilson earlier told US media he hadn't realised that the unloaded pistol was in his briefcase as he flew to the SAR from San Francisco. He reported the matter to customs officers when he arrived in Hong Kong.