An Eastern Court magistrate substituted community service orders for four protesters with prison sentences upon an application by the Department of Justice. Photo: RTHK
An Eastern Court magistrate has substituted community service orders she earlier meted out to three protesters who stormed the Legislative Council building last November, with with a three-and-a-half month prison term for each of them.
The decision by Principal Magistrate Bina Chainrai came after the Department of Justice asked her to review her original sentences on Tai Chi-shing, Cheung Chi-pong and Shek Ka-fai. It said 150 hours of community service that each of them was ordered to perform were "vastly inadequate" for what almost amounted to "rioting" during the storming of the building.
But Ms Chainrai released the three on bail, pending appeal.
The defendants were among a group of protesters who gathered outside the building after rumours were spread online that lawmakers would discuss legislation to criminalise online parodies and satirical works. Glass doors were broken when some of the protesters charged at the building.
The department asked the court to review the sentence of a fourth defendant, 19-year-old Cheng Yeung, as well. But the court adjourned its decision to September 8 pending training centre, detention centre and rehabilitation centre reports. Cheng was remanded in custody.
All four had earlier pleaded guilty to charges of criminal damage and taking part in an illegal assembly.
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1207355-20150825.htm
