A Hong Kong bus driver has been found guilty of “careless driving” for honking his horn as he drove past a pro-democracy protest in Kowloon last year.
Prosecutors told Kowloon City Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday that Cheung Ho-yin, 37, honked “unreasonably,” drove at a high speed for no reason and lacked proper focus as he drove the 970 route along Nathan Road last September. Police officers on the scene also said the driver turned and raised his middle finger.
He was also charged with another count of “careless driving” in Pok Fu Lam later the same day.
During the sentencing hearing at Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday, Magistrate Ada Yim said his driving attitude was unacceptable. She found Cheung guilty of two counts of careless driving and sentenced him to 100 hours of community service, according to local media reports.
Cheung’s licence has also been suspended for three months, as he has already had demerit points deducted over another charge of careless driving prior to last September.
The New World First bus driver was originally charged with dangerous driving and for carrying an offensive weapon after a spanner was found in his bag over the incident in Kowloon. The second charge was later dropped.
On September 6, 2020, pro-democracy protesters gathered to march on Nathan Road in the Yau Tsim Mong district to protest the government’s decision to postpone the legislative council elections for one year, citing public health concerns during the coronavirus pandemic.
Riot police made over 289 arrests and tackled a 12-year-old girl to the ground.
The maximum penalty for careless driving is HK$5,000 and six months imprisonment.
