British man charged with damaging 10 self-service kiosks at Hong Kong Airport on Lunar New Year’s Eve

A 35-year-old unemployed British man appeared at West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday, charged with criminal damage and possession of Part I poisons after allegedly toppling 10 smart check-in kiosks and other property at Hong Kong International Airport on February 16.

The defendant, Bennoui Youcef, faces one count of criminal damage for intentionally or recklessly damaging Airport Authority property in the departure hall of Terminal 1 on Lunar New Year’s Eve. 

The damaged items included a metal display stand, ten self-service check-in kiosks, a metal bracket, a glass panel, and an electric baggage tug.

He faces a second charge of possessing Part I poisons listed under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance at the eighth-floor drop-off area of Terminal 1 on the same day, without complying with legal requirements.

Magistrate Shirley Cornelia Hung adjourned the case to April 15 for further investigation. 

The defendant did not enter a plea and was granted bail of HK$5,000 cash with conditions including daily police reporting and residing at his declared address.