Nearly eight years for cop-slashing student

Michael Shum

A student was jailed for seven years and nine months after slashing the neck of a police officer with a paper cutter in Kwun Tong during the anti-fugitive bill protest.

High Court judge Andrew Chan Hing-wai said handing down a heavy sentence on Hui Tim-lik, 21, was necessary because the motive was "similar to murder."

Hui, who was 18 and a secondary six student when he committed the crime, earlier pleaded guilty to one count of wounding with intent for slashing constable Leung Shiu-cheung in the neck on a footbridge near the Kwun Tong MTR station in October 2019.

His attempted murder charge was left on court file.

During the sentencing yesterday, Chan said no one should resort to violence even if there is a difference in political beliefs as violence only brings harm.

He added that the case was extremely serious as Hui's motive was similar to murder, which could be punishable by a life sentence.

Chan said he was not surprised by the prosecution charging Hui with attempted murder at first.

Although Chan believes that Hui attacked a random victim, it was planned beforehand and, judging from what Hui wore and brought to the scene, it was "obvious that Hui was taking part in an anti-government protest."

He added that a will found in Hui's room during a home search showed his beliefs.

Officers found a will signed by Hui stating: "I will definitely not kill myself. The one that kills me must be this tyranny!"

The paper cutter was also "not a small one" - with the blade over 2.5 centimeters, which could be used for industrial purposes, Chan said.

"Police officers were retreating to a shopping mall and there was no standoff or confrontation with protesters, so Hui was not provoked when he committed the offense," he added.

Chan said Leung's wound was just one centimeter from his main artery which could have cost him his life and that Hui slashing the weakest point of the officer's body showed a "very high" level of violence.

Chan reduced the sentence from a starting point of 10 years as Hui pleaded guilty before the trial.

Hui earlier apologized in court during mitigation for causing the victim and society "much damage," saying that he has made a huge mistake due to his "immaturity, fear, hatred and foolishness."

The court was told that during the incident, about 30 uniformed officers arrived at Kwun Tong station's exit A1 to look into a criminal damage report and were about to leave after investigating for five minutes.

Hui suddenly dashed toward Leung, who was walking at the back of the group, and slashed him with a paper cutter.

He attempted to flee but Leung held onto Hui's arm.

The youngster was then subdued by other officers at the scene.

The attack left a 3.5cm wound on Leung's neck, according to the prosecution.

A part of Leung's auditory tube was damaged and is unlikely to return to normal.

Police found black clothing, swimming goggles, gloves and a cap in Hui's backpack.

michael.shum@singtaonewscorp.com