HONG KONG - A Hong Kong district court on Monday sentenced a local student to 32 months in prison for illegally possessing petrol bombs during last year’s social unrest.

Chan Kwok-ching , 17, was found by police with three petrol bombs in his possession outside a public housing estate in Tuen Mun, the New Territories, in Nov 2019. Police officers also seized other inflammable chemicals and tools from his backpack. These were enough to make seven to 15 gasoline bombs, the court heard.

District Judge Amanda Jane Woodcock said Chan had a clear intent to commit crimes as he not only possessed gasoline bombs but also other bomb-making materials

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District Judge Amanda Jane Woodcock said Chan had a clear intent to commit crimes as he not only possessed gasoline bombs but also other bomb-making materials. He was wearing a face-shield when he was detained.

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The judge noted that Chan was young, “but not so young as to not know the difference between right and wrong”.

Given the offence’s severity and the serious impact it could have had on society, the judge said a custodial sentence was needed. Woodcock said she hoped Chan could continue his studies behind bars and improve his decision-making skills.