Man Jailed After Joining Mong Kok Riot 'for Fun'

A District Court judge on Wednesday jailed a man for two years and 10 months for taking part in a riot in Mong Kok two years ago, solely for the fun of it.

Tang Ho-yin, 25, earlier admitted throwing a brick towards a police officer in the early hours of February 9, 2016, as he stood at the front of a standoff between protesters and police near the junction of Shantung Street and Nathan Road.

In sentencing, judge Eddie Yip noted that Tang suffered from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Yip accepted the explanation that Tang took part in the riot just for fun, without considering the consequences.

Yip noted that even though Tang did not hit anyone with the brick and he had not assaulted any officer, he had threatened the police and insulted them.

The judge said he had reduced Tang's sentence in light of his medical condition and the fact that he pleaded guilty.

The 34-month sentence is just two months shy of the longest prison term handed down so far in relation to the Mong Kok riot. The maximum sentence for rioting is 10 years imprisonment.