A Shenzhen man convicted for his role in a shooting plot involving two of the city's most prominent citizens was yesterday jailed for 16 years. The foiled scheme had 'damaged the fabric of our society', the judge said in sentencing Huang Nanhua.
Deputy Judge Peter Line's comments came minutes after jurors found Huang, 50, guilty of possessing a firearm and ammunition to commit an arrestable offence. The charge related to an alleged plot to harm former Democratic Party chairman Martin Lee Chu-ming and publishing tycoon Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, the court had earlier heard.
'The criminal courts of Hong Kong will not tolerate men like you with guns at their side coming here to target such people to teach them a lesson,' Mr Justice Line told Huang. 'Anyone guilty of conduct that threatens a public figure because of his participation in either politics or his profession commits a grave crime.'
When Huang was arrested on August 14, he was carrying a gun, five bullets and personal details of Mr Lee and Mr Lai, whose company publishes the top-selling Chinese-language newspaper Apple Daily.
Mr Lai's picture, an office address for Mr Lee and HK$20,000 in cash were among the items found in Huang's bag after he was stopped at a police roadblock in Mong Kok.
Prosecutors told jurors that they were unsure exactly what the plan involved, but said Mr Lee was the most likely target. He and Mr Lai were close friends and often dined together, the trial heard. Jurors were not told of a possible motive.
Yesterday, Mr Justice Line said the evidence suggested that Huang was hired by a shadowy mainland boss - who has never been identified - to harm Mr Lee.
