A cleaner takes pains to wipe clean the ticket vending machines at the Tung Chung MTR station on Sept 2, 2019, a day after riotous protesters vandalized service facilities, spraying paint in multiple MTR stations over the weekend. (PHOTO / CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG - Twenty-one-year-old twin brothers were sentenced on Monday to seven weeks in prison for damaging railway facilities in September.

Leung Ho-long and Leung Tsz-long were arrested after damaging turnstiles, ticket vending machines and screens worth HK$230,000 (US$29,700) at a light rail station in Tin Shui Wai with four others at about 2 am on Sept 7.

Magistrate Kathie Cheung Kit-yee said the crime was premeditated, as the twins had prepared tools and extra clothes for the plot

They were charged with criminal damage. Both pleaded guilty to the charges two weeks ago.

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Magistrate Kathie Cheung Kit-yee said the crime was premeditated, as the twins had prepared tools and extra clothes for the plot.

She described the case as a serious one, saying the damage to public transportation facilities greatly inconvenienced the public.

Cheung reduced the imprisonment span from 15 weeks to seven weeks for them because both pleaded guilty, and restitution had been paid to the railway operator.

She cautioned that violence or other illegal acts can never be a means to voice demands, adding that she hopes the twins will get a fresh start.

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Hong Kong’s railway network was a major target during last year’s social unrest. At the height of the anti-government movement in early October, the city’s railway service was forced to a standstill as hardcore protesters set fires and smashed facilities at multiple station exits.

Other road facilities were also repeatedly damaged during the protests. Radical protesters vandalized 740 sets of traffic lights from June to December, according to police. At least 41 people were injured in traffic accidents at intersections with damaged traffic lights, police said.