Autistic teenager in rehab for vandalism at the grave of the singer of Hong Kong band Beyond

A 16-year-old boy diagnosed with autism was sent to a rehabilitation center for damaging the grave and tombstone of the band Beyond’s lead singer Wong Ka-kui, while his co-defendant was sentenced to a term of imprisonment in a detention center.

At Kwun Tong Court on Tuesday, Chief Justice So Wai-tak heard prosecutors ordering the couple to pay HK$9,000 (US$1,153). However, the student, who was only 15 when he damaged the singer’s grave, said he was unable to compensate the owner for the damage.

Co-defendant Yip Tsz-to, 23, an air conditioning technician, told the court he could pay HK$4,500 after serving his prison sentence.

The two had previously pleaded guilty to jointly committing criminal damage to Wong’s gravesite at the Junk Bay Chinese Permanent Cemetery in Yau Tong on May 19.

“A tombstone is (a sign) to pay respect and commemorate the ancestor, but (the boy) damaged it for showmanship and fame, and that is quite a pity,” So said before announcing the verdict.

Three videos found on Yip’s phone showed the boy damaging Wong’s grave in a variety of ways, including nibbling the flowers on the tombstone, splashing it with Coke, smashing Wong’s photo with a hammer and writing letters on the tombstone with a black marker.

During his investigation, he told police that he had invited his friend Yip to visit the cemetery that morning because he was a fan of Beyond.

He said Yip was there to record a video and then uploaded the video to a social media platform.

The defendant’s lawyer said the boy, who had been diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental disorder, was led by a group of people he met online who encouraged others to engage in all kinds of antisocial behavior to get attention.

Judge So noted that the boy had just turned 16, but was a minor at the time of the crime.

After considering the recommendation of the Young Offender Assessment Panel, So ordered the boy to be sent to a rehabilitation centre, where he would initially remain in custody for up to five months and then be transferred to a second centre for a further one to four months under the supervision of correctional officers.

Yip’s lawyer also asked the court to take into account that the defendant made a mistake in this incident because he was easily influenced by others, but turned a new leaf after realising the seriousness of the offence.

Yip was sentenced to a term of imprisonment in a detention center, where he had to perform hard physical labor and lead a disciplined life for up to a year.