Knifemen offered HK$100,000 each to attack former Ming Pao chief editor Kevin Lau, court hears

Two men were offered HK$100,000 each to slash the former chief editor of Chinese-language newspaper Ming Pao, a court heard yesterday at the start of a trial examining the attack in Sai Wan Ho last year.

Yip Kim-wah and Wong Chi-wah, both 38, allegedly stole a motorcycle to follow journalist Kevin Lau Chun-to from his home in Kowloon Tong to Tai Hong Street in Siu Sai Wan on the morning of February 26, 2014.

According to prosecutor Nicholas Adams, Yip told police under caution the money was made available to them, but that he did not receive it. Wong was quoted as telling police: "When I slashed him, I didn't know it was Lau. I didn't know it would turn out to be such a mess."

The pair deny one joint count each of causing grievous bodily harm and stealing the motorcycle. Yip also faces a charge of stealing a vehicle licence. The opening of the hearing yesterday saw Lau, who needs physiotherapy three times a week to this day, appear at the High Court in the company of about five plainclothes police officers.

Lau told the court he was attacked when he bent down to pick up rubbish in his car.

"I felt my back being struck by a hard object. Then I felt my legs go numb," he testified.

"I looked up and wanted to know what was happening. I saw a motorcycle in front of my car."