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Brian Wong

A Hong Kong court has issued an arrest warrant for a British tourist who allegedly jumped bail after being charged with vandalising self-check-in kiosks at the city’s airport earlier this year.
Youcef Bennoui, 35, failed to appear at West Kowloon Court on Monday to answer charges of criminal damage and possession of a Part 1 poison in connection with the disturbance he allegedly caused at Hong Kong International Airport in the early hours of February 16.
Prosecutors told the court that Bennoui, who claimed to be unemployed, had left the city.
Principal Magistrate Don So Man-lung reserved his decision on whether to forfeit the defendant’s HK$5,000 (US$638) bail.


The British national was arrested after a viral video showed him toppling several self-check-in kiosks and repeatedly hitting them with a stanchion.
Police received a report at 5.56am that day and intercepted Bennoui near a bus stop.
A charge sheet stated that Bennoui damaged 10 self-check-in kiosks, a metal display shelf, a glass panel and an electric baggage tractor.
He was also charged with carrying four tablets of Viagra, categorised as a Part 1 poison in Hong Kong, at the time of his arrest.
He had previously been released on HK$5,000 bail, subject to daily reporting to police and residing at a fixed address. He was not prohibited from leaving Hong Kong.
Criminal damage carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, capped at two years if it is the only charge tried before a magistrate.


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Hong Kong

Law and Crime

Youcef Bennoui, 35, failed to appear at West Kowloon Court to answer charges of criminal damage and possession of a Part 1 poison


Youcef Bennoui, 35, failed to appear at West Kowloon Court to answer charges of criminal damage and possession of a Part 1 poison.


Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong International Airport

China

Airport Authority Hong Kong

British tourist wanted after jumping bail over Hong Kong airport vandalism

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Youcef Bennoui, 35, failed to appear at West Kowloon Court to answer charges of criminal damage and possession of a Part 1 poison

Youcef Bennoui, 35, failed to appear at West Kowloon Court to answer charges of criminal damage and possession of a Part 1 poison