A PROSECUTION witness whose loss of memory helped lead to the acquittal of Emperor boss Albert Yeung Sau-shing failed to appear at Western Court yesterday.
Suspicions that Michael Lam Yih-jiun had forgotten to turn up were dispelled when an official revealed the date for his appearance had been re-arranged for June 30.
Magistrate Paul Kelly had ordered Mr Lam to appear after telling him he faced contempt of court proceedings for failing to answer questions put to him during Yeung's trial. Mr Lam, a former Emperor employee, was the alleged victim of criminal intimidation and false imprisonment at the hands of Yeung.
All five prosecution witnesses in last month's trial suffered a loss of memory and the magistrate ruled there was no case for Yeung to answer. Mr Kelly said at the time that he was unsure justice had been done.
Yeung was accused of threatening to break Mr Lam's leg at the Mandarin Hotel.
The tycoon faces trial later this year for allegedly attempting to persuade Mr Lam not to give evidence. He denies the allegation.