Man admits heist, denies kidnapping

A man yesterday admitted masterminding a million-dollar heist on a Jockey Club betting centre in which a security guard was shot and wounded, but denied involvement in the 1989 kidnapping of entertainment tycoon Albert Yeung Sau-shing.

Cheng Chao-liang, 41, pleaded guilty to leading the assault on the betting centre in Tsuen Wan on December 10, 2001. He also admitted five other robberies amounting to $7.3 million and dating back to 1990, which targeted guards as they left Jockey Clubs and banks.

But Cheng, who appeared in court wearing a flamingo-pink double-breasted jacket and pastel tie, denied kidnapping Mr Yeung, chairman of the Emperor Group, who was snatched outside the International Building in Gilman Street, Central, on April 17, 1989.

He also denied three robberies involving a total of $1.75 million and US$900,000 (HK$7 million), and another robbery in which it is alleged he and an accomplice stole service revolvers, ammunition and a police beat radio from two officers outside Tsuen Tak Gardens, Tsuen Wan, on August 29, 1989.

The court heard that on December 10, 2001, Cheng and two accomplices ambushed two guards after they had collected a cash box containing $1 million from the Jockey Club on Castle Peak Road, Tsuen Wan. It is alleged that Cheng fired twice at one of the guards, Ng Ka-man, hitting him in the chest.

The court heard that as Cheng and his accomplices fled with the cash box, Mr Ng managed to picked up a shotgun and fire at them, injuring all three.

The bleeding trio eventually ran into Tsuen Wan MTR station, but were arrested at Prince Edward station after an onlooker alerted police.

Mr Justice Colin Jackson adjourned the case to tomorrow, when Cheng will appear with his two alleged accomplices.