Robbers used curry powder to steal HK$800,000 from couple

2014-12-12

Two 18-year-olds jailed for five years after they joined a gang to rob a couple of HK$800,000

■The victims operated a money exchange shop and mobile phone repairs shop in Kwai Chung. Photo: SCMP

Two teenagers who pleaded guilty to taking part in robbing a couple by throwing curry powder and attacking them with glass bottles were jailed for five years in the Court of First Instance yesterday.

Yau To-on and Chau Kwai-kwan, both 18, were convicted on one count of robbery for their part in the attack in which they and a group of Pakistanis stole HK$800,000 on July 27 last year.

Chau claimed he had been asked to participate by a man who had introduced work to him. He said he had agreed to do it as a way to return that favour.

Chau also asked his flatmate Yau to join after the man asked if Chau knew other people who might take part.

Judge Anthea Pang Po-kam said: "It was a planned crime and violence was used. Even though the defendants are still young in age, I do not think a training centre is an option for them."

The court heard that the victims operated a money exchange shop and mobile phone repairs shop in Kwai Chung.

On the night of the attack the gang approached the couple as they were closing their shops. Several attackers threw curry powder at the woman while others used glass bottles to attack the man. The gang then snatched a bag from the man and left.

The bag contained cash in multiple currencies - HK$384,000, US$20,000 and 206,000 yuan (HK$260,000) - as well as seven mobile phones and two signed cheques.

On August 8 last year, someone used one of the cheques to try to withdraw over HK$300,000 from one of the victim's bank accounts.

The account had been frozen, and police were informed and tracked down Chau and Yau.

Chau's lawyer said Chau had committed the crime through applying his "loyalty" in a foolish manner.

Yau, who came to know Chau on the mainland when they were young boys, claimed he had no idea he was being asked to join a gang to commit a robbery. He said he thought he was only being asked to attack somebody.

Source: South China Morning Post