Eighteen jailed over 2019 riot near PolyU
Eighteen people on Saturday were sentenced to between 36 and 57 months for rioting near Polytechnic University in 2019. One man was also convicted of possession of items with intent to destroy property, as he had been carrying petrol and a cloth. Handing down the sentences, District Court Judge Douglas Yau said the basis for the convictions was that the defendants had been present at the scene of the hours-long riot that took place in the Yau Ma Tei area - bolstering the rioters' momentum, and encouraging others to disturb social order.  He described the scene as chaotic, saying debris, bottles filled with petrol, extendable batons, and hammers were left on the street. He said this fully reflected the large number of rioters, and the severity of the situation.  Separately, one female defendant who was 17 at the time of the incident, will be sentenced on August 5, pending a training centre report. Police said 213 people have been arrested on charges of rioting during the unrest near Polytechnic University in 2019. It said at present 141 people have been convicted of rioting, with five sentenced to correctional facilities, 125 jailed for between 29 to 64 months, and 11 awaiting sentencing.