HK man whose girlfriend slapped him in viral video attacks reporter

HONG KONG - The young man who was filmed repeatedly being slapped by his girlfriend in public has been arrested for attacking a photographer, according to Hong Kong media reports.

Chioo Wing-ming, 23, is accused of pushing over and kicking photographer May Tse from South China Morning Post and damaging her camera as he left Kowloon City Court with girlfriend Cheng Yan-na, 20.

His girlfriend, who was filmed slapping him as he kneeled and begged for forgiveness on Oct 6, was arrested after the incident. She was leaving court on a good-behaviour bond on Oct 24 when her boyfriend attacked the photographer.

The incident happened while dozens of journalists were jostling to catch a glimpse of the couple outside Kowloon City Court. Chioo chased the photographer and knocked her over before kicking her.

The couple then leapt into a taxi that was blocked by a crowd of journalists.

They got out and sprinted across the street into a police station, pursued by the press pack.

The photographer, who suffered swelling to the back of her head and a bruised right elbow, right forearm and left knee, was taken to hospital for treatment.

Chioo was arrested for alleged assault and criminal damage. He is currently out on bail.

The slapping video has attracted 1.73 million views since being posted to YouTube on October 6.

Chioo had been told to kneel by his girlfriend, who is seen yelling at him and demanding to know why he invited her cousin to his apartment.

He remained on his knees throughout the argument, maintains his innocence and accuses Cheng's cousin of maligning him.

More than once, he can be seen turning to the cousin pleading for her to say something. At one point, he shouted: "Why don't you say something? I didn't do anything, why are you maligning me?"

Even though he can be heard wailing and sobbing, Cheng seems bent on getting him to confess. She ignores his pleas, grabbing him by the hair and slapping him instead.