The proposed legislation, which would have enabled the transfer of fugitives to mainland China, was stalled in mid-June in 2019 following a series of large-scale demonstrations, with Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor opting to fully withdraw the bill three months later.

District Judge Ernest Lin Kam-hung called the July 28 protest a “gory carnival”, adding participants had no real reason to be involved as the bill had already been suspended at the time of the clashes.

“I understand there were forces and key opinion leaders with ulterior motives who professed themselves as young people’s tutors and offered them material and ethical support … prompting them to take part in this gory carnival,” the judge said.

“Most of them can avoid paying the price. Those who do pay the price are the many hot-blooded people who were more brave than wise.”

Lin also expressed sympathy for grievances from the public regarding the police’s handling of the demonstrations and the government’s reaction to opposing voices.

“As an ordinary citizen, I also take the view that there is room for improvement for both [police and government],” the judge said, but stressed “they are not excuses for blocking roads, disturbing people’s lives and damaging public and private property.”

“Social change should be a gradual process achieved via continuous endeavours. It cannot be achieved in the blink of an eye,” he added.

The 10 men and five women, aged between 20 and 34, were accused of taking part in the riot that stretched several blocks from Morrison Street to Rumsey Street, about 1km away from the liaison office and Western Police Station.

The District Court-level trial, held at the more spacious West Kowloon Court, heard the defendants had engaged in a guerilla-style battle with police that lasted nearly six hours before they were arrested on Man Wa Lane at around 9.47pm.

MTR part-time worker Ho Pak-yiu, 20, pleaded guilty to rioting before the trial began in June last year. Half a year later, the judge convicted the rest of the suspects as he ruled they had “participatory intent” based on their black clothes and protest equipment found in their possession.

Eight of the accused, consisting of part-time waiter Chan Chak-fung, 25, kindergarten teacher Po Tsz-ching, 27, student Leung Chi-pang, 22, airport worker Lau Yiu-chuen, 30, engineering assistant Lam Ho-ching, 24, freelancer Liu Tsz-ting, 21, IT technician Li Shu-wah, 24, and jobless Cheung Man-hei, 22, were jailed for four years on Wednesday.

Lin said Cheung deserved 51 months in jail as she was also found guilty of possessing an offensive weapon and unlicensed radio apparatus, but he decided to knock three months off on “humanitarian grounds”, noting she was a single mother with a five-year-old daughter and was only 19 at the time of her arrest.

The judge also reduced the four-year sentences of five others by two to six months, citing their good character. The five consisted of cooks Chan Wai-lam and Yeung Wai-sing, aged 24 and 34 respectively, assistant florist Pang Yu-tung, 22, former pilot Liu Chung-yin, 33, and nurse Vicky Chan Wing-ki, 30.

Ho, who pleaded guilty, was sentenced to Cape Collinson Correctional Institution where he will undergo up to three years of educational and vocational training.

Student Wu Ka-chun, 24, received up to one year of hard labour at Sha Tsui Correctional Institution.

Police also arrested clerks Yan Hoi-ying, 25, and Liu Tin-chun, 30, during the July 28 protest, but the pair fled the city before the case could proceed to trial.