Eleven people convicted of rioting in Yau Ma Tei in 2019

Eleven people were on Saturday convicted of rioting over a series of protests that aimed to “rescue” protesters stranded in the Polytechnic University four years ago, with the judge saying it was impossible that the defendants entered the scene of the riot by mistake moments before the arrests. 

The defendants are Chan Kin-hei, 18; Chan Tsz-kin, 22; Cheng Ho-lun, 25; Cheng Wai-kit, 23; Cheung Ho-yin, 24; Cheung Yuen-shan, 23; Chow Ming-chi, 41; Fong Kam-fai, 23; Fung Tin-ching, 21; Ho Cheuk-ming, 34; and Ho Chung-yuen, 22. 

They had earlier pleaded not guilty but were convicted of rioting at Nathan Road between Waterloo Road and Hamilton Street in Yau Ma Tei on November 18, 2019, by deputy judge Ivy Chui Yee-mei. 

Cheng Ho-lun and Fung were also found guilty of possessing instruments with purpose to damage property for possessing one and three bags of cable ties, respectively. 

The District Court case was transferred to and proceeded at the West Kowloon Court today. Judge Chui adjourned the case to February 18 for mitigation pleas and March 11 for sentencing. 

All defendants will be remanded in custody until their court appearance. 

Delivering the verdict, Chui said the university had been occupied for some time before the date of the riot, and a law-abiding person, except for special reasons like work or living nearby, would definitely not go to the crime scene late at night. 

Chui believed all defendants were arrested within the area cordoned off by police, and they should have escaped as soon as possible, even if they didn’t hear the police’s warning. 

The defendants could have left the scene by heading northward on Nathan Road or along Waterloo Road and Pitt Street, Chui noted. 

Chui added she didn’t believe the defendants entered the scene of the riot by mistake just moments before police made the arrests and said police had given them the time and the chances to flee, but they chose to stay. 

As for Cheng Ho-lun and Fung, Chui said they were at the scene of the riot and didn’t have any good reason for the use of the plastic straps as she ruled them guilty.