Knife-wielder jailed for threatening protesters

Choi Pei Tak was caught on video running after some protesters with a knife in his hand.

A 45-year-old man has been sentenced to nine months in jail for possessing an offensive weapon, after he chased some anti-government protesters in Tung Chung with a knife in his hand on September 1.



Transport worker Choi Pei Tak was caught on a video that went viral, holding a knife and running after some 30 protesters at the Yat Tung Estate bus terminus.



Hundreds of protesters had gone to Tung Chung that day after attempting to stage a protest at the airport.



West Kowloon Magistracy said the 45-year-old had brandished his knife twice, and it was just luck that no one got injured. Magistrate Winnie Lau said if Choi had grievances, he should have called the police.



Lau noted that the man claimed to have been attacked by protesters and graffiti targeting him was daubed near his home, which also affected his family.



Despite this, Choi decided to plead guilty and that is why he was given a lighter sentence, the magistrate said.



During mitigation, Choi told the court that he was contacted by a police officer after the crime and that he had intended to surrender, but the officer dissuaded him.



But the prosecution said the department had never contacted the defendant. They also said Choi had not provided relevant any proof of this claim, such as an officer's number or unit details. The defence then withdrew Choi's claim.