Social News
Written by: Lin Leer
2020-09-22 18:32
Last update date: 2020-09-22 18:32
On February 29 this year, a large number of citizens went to MTR Prince Edward Station to commemorate the 8.31 incident. That night, a local man and a Dutch traveler were involved in burning trash cans in Mong Kok and then exchanged phone calls.
Both were charged with one count of arson.
The two pleaded guilty at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Court today (2nd). The defense pleaded that they had been in trouble for nearly three months earlier and lost their jobs in the same case.
Magistrate Leung Jiaqi decided to obtain a background report for the two, and adjourned the sentence until the 7th of next month, during which the two defendants were still awaiting punishment.
In addition, the two persons also had to pay 350 yuan to the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department for the destroyed garbage bin.
The first defendant Deng Zhenqiang (42 years old) and the Dutch second defendant De Bruin Edgar Willem Aart (31 years old) were both charged with a crime of arson, alleging that they used fire on February 29 at the junction of Shan Dong Street and Sai Yee Street in Mong Kok to damage a government owned property. trash can.
The first defendant claimed to tear up pages on impulse
The case alleged that a large number of demonstrators gathered outside the Mong Kok Police Station that night. During the period, some people blocked the road with trash cans and other debris, and some people threw petrol bombs and arson at the roadblocks.
The first defendant was arrested outside the Kowloon Eye Hospital the next day. Under caution, he confessed to the crime and said: "Excuse me, I was on the spur of the moment to tear the book in my hand and set it on fire." He later said in a warning meeting that he went to the memorial night. In the 831 incident, when the defendant was seen burning garbage with others, he stepped forward to tear off the pages of the book and distributed the paper to the second defendant. The two exchanged phone numbers afterwards.
Dutch defendant claimed to disagree with the Chinese government
The Dutch defendant was arrested on the same day and said under caution that he assisted in the arson because he did not agree with the Chinese government.
During a cautionary meeting, he revealed that he came to Hong Kong on a working holiday and was watching the demonstration that day. He was not sure if he was drunk, but he admitted that he had followed others to throw paper into the fire and exchanged phone numbers with the other party.
The prosecution alleges that a witness was suspended for suspicion of concealing methamphetamine, but two defendants were photographed arson, and the clothing they were wearing at the time of the crime was also found.
The two have been repaid for nearly 3 months due to this case
辯方求情指兩人早前還柙近3個月，已上了一課。首被告案發時任職採購經理，為家中經濟支柱，但因此案還柙而失去工作；荷蘭籍被告持旅遊簽證來港，原本獲幼稚園聘為英文老師，亦因此案而被解約。辯方續道，荷蘭籍被告過往無案底，服刑後會離開香港，不大可能會重犯。他又呈上其親友撰寫的求情信，其中一人為荷蘭警隊的沙展，他指荷蘭籍被告為人善良，是次犯案為單一事件。裁判官最終決定先索取報告再判刑。
案件編號：KCCC346/2020
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