Hong Kong protests: ex-auxiliary police officer gets 7 weeks’ jail for throwing water bottle at crowd
- Vincent Luk, who lost his teaching position over the incident, showed no remorse, according to Magistrate Andy Cheng
- The 25-year-old was not at the monthly Prince Edward station protest in his capacity as an officer that night
Vincent Luk Ping-yat, 25, was found guilty last month of one count of behaving in a disorderly manner in a public place over his role at a Mong Kok protest on February 29, 2020.
Kowloon City Court heard that Luk, who also worked as a teacher, was not serving in his police capacity that night when he went to Hollywood Plaza on Nathan Road, where about 100 people had gathered.
The February protest was one of the monthly demonstrations that took place at Prince Edward station, accusing authorities of excessive use of force during a clearance operation there on August 31, 2019.
The force has denied that allegation as well as unsubstantiated rumours the operation resulted in the deaths of several protesters.
In convicting Luk, Magistrate Andy Cheng Lim-chi said there was footage of a man hurling what was believed to be a plastic water bottle at the crowd, and that he was certain it was the defendant, noting they had the same build and attire.
In mitigation, defence counsel Charlotte Chan said that Luk, the family’s breadwinner, had lost his teaching position because of the incident.
Chan also said that Luk was not a part of the protest and had not worn black or carried any gear, as she appealed for community service.
On Monday, the magistrate described Luk as a young man with a good background, family support, orderly life and a prior clear record.
But he also noted: “I cannot see any remorse.”
Given that Luk had pleaded not guilty and did not tell the probation officer why he hurled the bottle, Cheng ruled out community service.
While there was no evidence that the bottle had struck anyone, Cheng observed that hurling the object among a large crowd in a tense atmosphere could have triggered a ripple effect – prompting others to follow suit, heightening emotions and causing the situation to get out of hand.
That was only prevented because there was sufficient police manpower at the scene, he added.
Cheng concluded a short term of imprisonment was necessary for deterrence and imposed a starting point of eight weeks, before giving Luk a one-week discount to credit his background and previously clear record.
Behaving in a disorderly manner in a public place is punishable by up to 12 months in prison and a fine of HK$5,000 (US$643).
