Product designer convicted of rioting near PolyU

A product designer was on Tuesday found guilty of rioting in Hung Hom, at a time when hundreds of protesters were surrounded by the police at the nearby Polytechnic University.

Lui Sheuk-hang, 31, was arrested on Wuhu Street on November 18, 2019, and was found with cable ties and marbles in his bag.

He told the court that he only wanted to go to his alma mater to witness the end of the police siege, but was knocked down by a crowd of people before his arrest.

However, District Court judge Frankie Yiu rejected Lui’s explanation, saying his testimony regarding where he was and the situation at the scene was inconsistent with video footage.

The judge also rejected Lui’s claim that the marbles were toys for his cat, and that the cable ties were just for fastening wire nets across windows at his home to help protect his pet.

“The confrontation between the police and the protesters that evening had by then lasted for quite a while. The accused was physically there at the time he was arrested, found equipped with and wearing protective gear,” the judge noted.

“On the road, objects like metal railings and road signs were seen fastened together with cable ties and used as roadblocks. There were also bricks and marbles on the carriageway, which made it more difficult for the police to move forward.”

Yiu added that traces of a highly inflammable organic solvent were found on a pair of arm warmers the defendant was wearing.

Lui was also convicted of possessing instruments fit for unlawful purposes.

His case was adjourned to July 19 for sentencing and Lui was remanded in custody.