Man with autism sentenced to rehabilitation centre for desecrating national and Hong Kong flags
Hong Kong Free Press
A man with autism has been sentenced to a rehabilitation centre on after he was found guilty of desecrating the national flag and the city’s flag on National Day last year.
Wong Chun-lok, who was 19 at the time, has been remanded in custody since his conviction last month. Wong appeared in front of Magistrate Li Chi-ho at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday.
Rehabilitation centres are for young offenders between the ages 14 and 20 who have not previously been sentenced to institutions including prisons, training centres, or detention centres previously. The maximum sentence is nine months.
According to the prosecution’s case, Wong publicly and intentionally desecrated a national flag and four regional Hong Kong flags on National Day last year in Sham Shui Po.
Wong testified in March that he had been triggered by the bright colour of the flags, and that he only tore down the flags to reduce the sensation, InMedia reported.
The defendant’s legal representative said on Wednesday that Wong had been awarded a HK$20,000 scholarship in February, and was courteous and cooperative after he was convicted.
Wong also knew that he had acted on impulse and was remorseful, his lawyer said, adding that the defendant wished to reunite with his mother as soon as possible.
Before the magistrate announced his sentence, Wong covered his face with his hands and began sobbing.
“[The defendant] chose to desecrate the national flag when the country and Hong Kong were holding celebrations… this is serious”, the magistrate said.
After receiving his sentence, Wong stood up, looked to the public gallery and said he wanted to see his mother.
Correctional services officers said he could only meet his mother downstairs, but Wong started shouting. The defendant resisted as he was led away, and he could be heard shouting when he was taken away from the dock.
Additional reporting: Kelly Ho.
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