Student jailed over rioting in 2019

A student was on Wednesday sentenced to three years and four months in prison after pleading guilty to rioting in Mong Kok and Prince Edward MTR stations on August 31, 2019.

Wan Ka-lam, 22, was accused of vandalising certain facilities, including turnstiles and control rooms, at the stations with other people.

The MTR later reported a loss of HK$1.09 million.

He pleaded guilty to charges of rioting.

In mitigation, the defence lawyer told the District Court that his client was devoted to drama and had been admitted to the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, and was now on leave.

The lawyer added Wan understood he had made a mistake, and hoped to turn over a new leaf after completing his jail term.

Passing sentence, judge Frankie Yiu urged Wan to reflect while he was in prison and make contributions to society in future.