Student pleads guilty to joining assault of lone policeman

A 20-year-old student pleaded guilty at the District Court today, for rioting near the Prince Edward station six months after the August 31 controversy happened there. 

The other charge of assaulting police officer will be left on court file. He is currently detained and will be sentenced on May 24. 

Nou Jeffrey, a student from the Vocational Training Council, was charged of participating in a riot near Sai Yeung Choi Street and Soy Street in Mong Kok, and assaulted a police officer at the junction on Nelson Street and Nathan Road on February 29, 2020. 

On that day groups of protesters gathered in Mong Kok and Prince Edward, and officers were patrolling the areas. One of the officers was in plain clothes and wore only a police vest and a helmet. 

At around 10pm that night, officers spotted a dozen of protesters in black shirts setting roadblocks at the junction of Nathan Road and Shantung Street. Officers thus got out of the vehicle and attempted to arrest the protesters. 

During the chase one of the officers was told he lost some gear, causing him to stop to check his belongings and was left alone by other officers. Protesters then approached and assaulted the officer. 

The officer was beaten to the ground and his helmet was taken away. He felt his life was being threatened and therefore pulled out his gun. The crowd once dispersed as the officer pulled his gun. 

The officer managed to escaped but was still chased by protesters. Among them Jeffrey was spotted throwing bamboo sticks and water bottles at that officer during the assault. Jeffrey was then subdued and arrested in his attempt to pick up the bamboo stick. 

Jeffrey under police’s caution said that he arrived at Sai Yeung Choi Street and Soy Street at around 8pm, where protesters gathered around. Later he heard someone shouting “Don’t let that cop go” and people started chasing the officer. He took advantage and joined in assaulting the officer, throwing bamboo sticks and water bottles at the officer. 

The officer then sought medical aid in hospital after the event. The medical report said that his head and limbs were injured and he took a 23-day sick leave.