HONG KONG - Three people convicted of rioting and attacking police officers in Mong Kok, China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in February 2016 were given jail sentences on Monday at Hong Kong's High Court.

Defendant Leung Tin-kei was sentenced to six years in jail, while two others in the case, Lo Kin-man and Wong Ka-kui, received sentences of seven years, and three years and six months respectively.

The three defendants participated in the violent clashes that took place during the Lunar New Year holidays in February in 2016. They were accused of rioting and attacking police officers. The high court of Hong Kong found all of them guilty on May 18.

The clashes in Mong Kok erupted after a dispute over the clearance of food vendors. Pitched street battles saw mobs attack police officers with bricks and sticks. Since March 2017, about 20 rioters were found guilty by Hong Kong courts at all levels.