Boy Found Guilty Over Carrying Laser Pointer

A 16-year-old was found guilty on Thursday of possessing offensive weapons near a protest site, with a magistrate finding that the boy was hoping to injure police officers with a laser pointer.

The teenager, who had been arrested near Tuen Mun MTR Station on September 21, was also carrying an umbrella which had been modified to hide a hiking cane inside, along with protective gear used by protesters.

A West Kowloon juvenile court magistrate said although laser pointers aren't actually considered to be offensive weapons, the boy had intended to use the one he was carrying to cause harm to police officers, by shining it in their eyes.

The court was told in mitigation that the current social movement in Hong Kong is unprecedented and the teenager had not sought to take part in it for his own gain.

He was remanded in custody until sentencing, which is expected to take place on November 25.

After the hearing, Democratic Party legislator James To, who is also a lawyer, said he is worried the authorities will abuse this ruling to prosecute more people for carrying various innocuous objects like laser pointers and umbrellas.