The District Court on Friday acquitted a chauffeur of inciting others to attack police officers, saying he appeared to be simply venting his anger at the police’s handling of a 2019 protest when he sent a provocative message to a drivers’ chat group.

The court earlier heard that Fong Man-ho sent a message to a drivers’ Whatsapp group calling for police officers to be attacked with a machete, after he saw an officer raise a gun during a protest on July 30, 2019.

Fong, 43, had pleaded not guilty to inciting others to wound police officers with intent.

Handing down verdict, judge Douglas Yau noted that the defendant didn't send the message to an anti-government chat group but one that was meant for sharing traffic information.

Yau said he believed Fong acted on impulse, saying he could have sent the text elsewhere had he intended to incite others to hurt officers.