Engineer sentenced for possessing laser pointer at 2019 protest

A 24-year-old engineer was sentenced to four months for possessing a laser pointer in his bag outside an MTR station during a protest in 2019. 

Luk, the defendant, was accused of a count of "possession of an offensive weapon in a public place without authority or reasonable excuse" in the Kowloon City Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, citing he was stopped by the police and was seized a laser pointer and some tape from him outside the MTR Wong Tai Sin station in October 2019.  

The defendant earlier pleaded not guilty to his accusation and argued in court today that the items seized were used for furniture delivery.   

However, Magistrate Andrew Mok Tze-chung dismissed his claims and ruled that he intended to participate in the demonstration, which occurred on the same day in Wong Tai Sin when the defendant was spotted and arrested.  

Luk was wearing a black mask when confronted by the police, which could prove his intention, said the magistrate.  

"The defendant’s crime was serious as the laser pointer may cause harm to police officers," said the magistrate, sentencing Luk to four months of imprisonment as he showed regret in court.