Former Shatin District Council chairman Li Chi-wang was on Thursday jailed for seven months for shouting insults at the police in May, 2020.

Eastern Magistracy heard that Li committed the offence during a protest in Causeway Bay, and his shouting had drawn a crowd of onlookers.

The defendant was earlier convicted of behaving in a noisy or disorderly manner in a public place.

Magistrate Winnie Lau said she had deducted one month from Li’s prison term after taking into account his clear record and past service to the community.

But she said the crime was serious and required a deterrent sentence as Li could have provoked others and increased the risk to public order.

The magistrate also said the court has a duty to protect the police.

Li indicated he would appeal and asked to be released on bail, but the magistrate refused the bail application.