Garbage and debris strewn outside the Legislative Council in Admiralty, Hong Kong, in this file photograph dated June 13, 2019 following a mass protest a day ago. (ROY LIU / CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG - A man arrested for taking part in an unlawful assembly in Hong Kong pleaded guilty to a riot charge in court on Monday, the first among those arrested for involvement in the social unrest last year.

The 21-year-old man is the first to plead guilty among those arrested for involvement in the social unrest last year

Lifeguard Sin Ka-ho, 21, was prosecuted for participating in a riot with others outside the building of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Legislative Council on June 12, 2019.

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At a plea hearing in the HKSAR District Court on Monday morning, the defendant confessed to hurling helmets, traffic cones, umbrellas and other objects at police officers.

In his plea, Sin wrote that he regretted what he had done and if he had a chance to talk to the young people, "I would urge them never to resort to violence.”

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In addition to rioting, Sin was also charged with two counts of resisting a police officer, for which he pleaded not guilty. 

Judge Amanda Jane Woodcock will pass down the sentence on May 15. Rioting carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison. The District Court, however, can only pass sentence not exceeding seven years.

During the incident on June 12, 2019, rioters blocked the main roads and charged the police cordon line using bricks, steel bars and other objects as weapons.

Several police officers were injured in the riot. A total of 11 persons involved were arrested.

The case was adjourned to May 15 for sentence.