5 Hongkongers jailed for vigilante-style attack on man who bit ex-politician’s ear
- Court rules that the five had no justification for retaliation against Joe Chen, who attacked a district councillor and three others in 2019
The District Court found on Saturday the five defendants had no justification for their repeated assault on Joe Chen, however violent and irrational he was during his drunken rampage at a peaceful demonstration on November 3, 2019.
The assailant suffered serious injuries after a group of onlookers, including the five accused, exacted revenge on him.
“The consequences could have been dire had Joe Chen committed further assaults on other residents who walked by because of his attackers’ repeated provocations,” Ko said. “The defendants’ assaults in the present case posed a very serious risk to the people living in the neighbourhood.”
Four of the five accused each pleaded guilty to rioting and wounding with intent: barista Cheung Yun-fung, 27; waiter Yung Chi-keung, 34; animal shelter volunteer Cheng Long-wing, 27; and freelance music producer Tsui Chun-kit, 22.