Man pleads guilty to rioting

A defendant pleaded guilty on Friday to one count of rioting in relation to a violent incident in February last year in Mong Kok — one of Hong Kong’s busiest shopping districts.

He was the first among all those charged with rioting to admit to the serious offense since legal procedures began.

This case marks the fifth conviction for rioting related to the Mong Kok incident.

The defendant — Ng Tingkai, 25 — was given bail after pleading guilty as he had suffered from autism since he was young, his lawyer explained. The condition had worsened following the riot, the lawyer added. Ng also showed symptoms of depression, the court heard.

Ng was given bail on condition he did not leave Hong Kong. He must report to police once a week, according to District Court judge Kwok Waikin. Ng pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, which remained on the court record.

The case has been transferred to the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts’ Technology Court as the judge needs to view extensive video evidence.

The court heard that Ng was filmed throwing bricks or other items at police officers at about 4 am on Feb 9, 2016, the second day of Chinese New Year festivities. Officers later arrested him near Nathan Road. They found flashlights, masks and goggles in his bag.

Four police officers were injured during the violent incident. A female officer’s middle finger was fractured. Police officers involved in the overall riot had had to take a total of 360 days of sick leave, the prosecution noted. A total of 47 officers were injured in the rioting.

Ng’s case was adjourned to July 12. The other nine defendants’ trial continues next week.

Ng was one of 10 defendants who were put on trial. They were charged with rioting, criminal damage or assault during the riot.

Another suspected rioter, 18-year-old Mo Jia-tao, had pleaded guilty to one count of assaulting a police officer on Thursday. Mo pleaded not guilty to three rioting charges and one of criminal damage.

Ng’s guilty plea came after four other convictions. In April, a technician was sentenced to four years and nine months in jail for rioting and arson during the incident. In March, three activists were sentenced to three years imprisonment for the same conviction.

According to the Public Order Ordinance, rioting carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.