Hong Kong court sentences ex-lawmakers’ assistant to 7 years in jail for firearms offence

Judge Barnes believed Chung had no intent to use the rifle and her crime was committed during a relationship with a “wrong person she loved”.

“I accept you sincerely repent and regret committing the offence,” Barnes told the defendant, noting Chung’s good behaviour in custody over the past four years showed positive rehabilitation.

Chung admitted to one count of possession of arms or ammunition without licence, which was punishable for 14 years in prison. Su had earlier pleaded guilty to the same offence.

On December 20, 2019, police found a rifle and a total of 241 bullets in a Tai Po flat after they apprehended Su outside Jade Plaza in Tai Po after he resisted the arrest and fired at an officer.

The judge said that Chung witnessed the shooting and ran back to their flat to pack and escape to another friend’s place.

In a separate trial involving a plot between “Dragon Slaying Brigade” and another group led by mastermind Ng Chi-hung to detonate explosives and kill officers in Wan Chai on December 8, 2019, the court heard Su admitted he was assigned to be a sniper to shoot police.

Su had also pleaded guilty to conspiring to murder police officers in relation to the plot.

Judge Barnes said although no evidence suggested that Chung was aware of Su taking part in the conspiracy and his intent to murder the police with that rifle, she still committed a “very serious” crime.

“Inevitably, the court has to give a deterrent sentence to reflect the great danger the crime posed to public safety,” Barnes said.

With all mitigating factors considered, the judge reduced two months from the original sentence of seven years and six months to reflect the rehabilitation journey Chung had undergone.