Renovation Worker Jailed Over 2019 Protest Attack

A renovation worker has been jailed for 40 months after he admitted wounding a man who was clearing away barricades put up by anti-government protesters in Mong Kok two years ago.

The District Court heard that demonstrators had blocked the junction of Mong Kok Road and Nathan Road on December 1, 2019.

When the victim tried to remove the debris on the road, he was surrounded by about 10 protesters, the court heard.

The prosecution said the defendant, Leung Kai-lok, 33, then used something heavy to strike the victim’s head, causing him to lose consciousness.

The man received 10 stitches as a result of the attack.

Leung admitted that he hurled a rectangular metal object at the victim. He had also told police that he was not a protester, but was walking around the area with a friend.

Passing sentence, Judge Ernest Lin said the defendant had used "very evil" means to attack "a righteous man who stood up against injustice", and the court must send a clear message that the defendant’s behaviour was unacceptable to society and the courts.

Leung was also ordered to pay the victim HK$20,000 in compensation.

Speaking after the ruling, police chief inspector Cheung Hang-fai said the sentence would “certainly have a deterrent effect to the protesters”.