A Hong Kong student who starred in a popular web documentary about the city’s university entrance exams has been convicted of theft for a second time after pleading guilty to shoplifting at a supermarket.

Eastern Court on Thursday recorded a guilty plea from Tang Ngai-hong, who admitted to stealing a bag of fruit and two packets of potato chips from the Fresh supermarket at Kornhill Plaza North in Quarry Bay on January 5.

The offence took place just five months after the 19-year-old was fined HK$3,000 (US$380) for stealing nearly HK$700 worth of food items from the Kowloon Bay branch of Japanese discount chain store Don Don Donki on May 8 last year.

Acting Principal Magistrate David Cheung Chi-wai said a financial penalty was no longer appropriate given that Tang reoffended in a relatively short period of time.

But the magistrate also noted the defendant’s young age, timely plea and the relatively low value of the stolen goods.

He adjourned sentencing until June 26, pending assessments on the defendant’s suitability for either probation or community service.