Teenager fined for poking police with an umbrella

A probation report said Lai Yun-long believed his action against the officer was just, and he would be prepared to do it again. Photo: RTHK

A teenager who poked a police officer in the chest with an umbrella during a protest last summer was fined HK$2,000 by a magistrate in Sha Tin on Saturday, despite the court hearing the defendant would happily do the same thing again given the chance.



Lai Yun-long, 19, earlier pleaded guilty to one count of assaulting a police officer.



He was arrested for attacking an officer with an umbrella during pitched battles between protesters and police inside New Town Plaza on July 14 last year.



A probation report said although Lai was willing to accept responsibility for his behaviour, he did not show any remorse. On the contrary, he believed his action was just, and he would be prepared to do it again.



Pleading for leniency, Lai's lawyer said his client had been held in custody for many weeks and had admitted his guilt as soon as he was arrested.



Acting principal magistrate Ko Wai-hung said he considered the use of the umbrella to provoke the officer during the standoff as constituting a low level of violence.



In fining Lai, the magistrate also factored in the defendant's young age and said prison sentences should be reserved for serious cases.



Lai was once again remanded in custody as he has also been charged over an alleged attack on a Global Times reporter at the airport on August 2 last year.