Four jailed for Hong Kong attack

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Four men have been jailed in Hong Kong for the savage beating of a pro-democracy lawmaker last year.

The men were each sentenced to four years and eight months in prison, for conspiracy to wound with intent.

Their victim, Democratic Party Chairman Albert Ho, was badly injured in the attack, which took place in a fast-food restaurant last August.

Jailing the men, the judge said he believed there was a sinister motive behind the beating.

He described as "inherently incredible" the allegation made in court that one of the men, Chinese immigrant Leung Kwan-ping, had paid the other three to carry out the attack in revenge for Mr Ho's failure to help him apply for social welfare.

"The timing of the attack and the very public and audacious nature of it indicated it was carried out for a far more sinister and heinous reason," said Judge Kevin Browne.

Shock

Mr Ho - who is a lawyer as well as a politician - welcomed the verdict and agreed with the judge's view.

He has suggested the attack was linked to his work on legal cases, which may have impacted on triad interests.

The 55-year-old was set upon by three men with baseball bats and batons as he ate at a crowded hamburger restaurant after attending a protest last August.

He suffered a broken nose and head injuries and spent several days in hospital.

The attack shocked people in Hong Kong and was condemned by civic leaders, including Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang.

The police are continuing to investigate the case.