REASONS FOR VERDICT
1. The defendants plead not guilty to one joint charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, contrary to section 17(a) of the Offences against the Person Ordinance[1] (charge 1). D5 also pleads not guilty to one charge of common assault, contrary to Common Law and punishable under section 40 of the Offences against the Person Ordinance (charge 2).
Introduction
2. On the night of 14/15 October 2014 the police carried out Operation Solarpeak to clear the protestors of the Occupy Central movement. Many police officers both uniform and plainclothes officers were involved in the operation.
3. Crime Group A consisted of Quick Response Teams (“QRT”) and video teams. The defendants were all on duty that night in the area of Lung Wo Road. D1 led QRT A2-2, which included D2, D3, D5, D6 and D7. D4 was initially deployed as a member of a video team but later redeployed by D2.