Hong Kong protests: teen sent to training centre for acting as driver in attack on activist; co-conspirator jailed 46 months

In handing down deterrent sentence, judge points to assault on political figure during time of deep social divide

Teen admitted to driving two armed assailants, despite not having licence, while Lo Kin-wa, 30, sent to prison for his role in conspiracy and driving violations

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The case was heard in the District Court. Photo: Warton Li

Published: 9:22pm, 21 Sep 2020Updated: 11:18pm, 21 Sep 2020

A Hong Kong teen involved in an elaborate plot to seriously injure Civil Human Rights Front convenor Jimmy Sham Tsz-kit amid last year’s anti-government unrest has been sent to a training centre.

But his co-defendant, 30-year-old salesman Lo Kin-wa, was not spared jail, with the District Court handing down a sentence of three years and 10 months.

The case centred on an armed attack that took place when Sham was having lunch with friend Law Kwok-wai at Via Restaurant on Tak Hing Street in Jordan on August 29 last year, after he met and exchanged views with protesters targeting his organisation in the same area.

Civil Human Rights Front convenor Jimmy Sham (left) and Law Kwok-wai leave District Court in July after testifying about the attack. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Two masked men barged into the cafe, one armed with a baseball bat and the other a 60cm-long butcher’s knife. Sham’s friend was injured when he shielded the activist from three blows of the bat. But the two assailants escaped and remain at large. The teen, now 16, and Lo were later arrested following police investigation

Case officer Tsui Tsun-on said investigations were ongoing and it would be inappropriate to reveal further details.