Two Form Five students at St Stephen's College in Stanley have walked free after a magistrate imposed fines and community service orders for assaulting and robbing a classmate of HK$60.
Magistrate William Lam Kui-po yesterday said their behaviour, which had gone on for a prolonged period, should attract a prison term but he considered the community service sentences and fines appropriate because the two boys were young.
Both youths are aged 16 and had clear records.
Mr Lam said the two, who had been locked up for about two weeks awaiting sentencing reports, hoped to continue their studies.
Eastern Court heard the pair had assaulted a classmate several times in a classroom between October last year and January.
The victim, also 16, was punched, attacked with a football and robbed of HK$40, the court heard. On one occasion, the victim had handed one of the assailants HK$20 out of fear.
