Members of gang must pay victims

THREE members of a gang who forced a terrified Causeway Bay shop assistant and her boyfriend to hand over thousands of dollars were jailed for more than two years yesterday.

A fourth member, who is pregnant, had her case adjourned until February to give Judge Whaley time to consider a probation report.

Wong Tak-ming, 21, his sister Wong Mei-king, 19, Chu Yuet-ming, 40, and Choi Ka-keung, 21, were convicted in the District Court this month of robbery. The Wongs and Chu were also convicted of three charges of theft. Choi admitted the theft charges.

The defendants were part of a seven-strong gang who terrorised the assistant and her boyfriend in October 1993. They threatened to chop the victims and used their bank cards to withdraw thousands of dollars.

In mitigation, Albert Luk said the pair were not injured and the four were prepared to recompense them fully.

Judge Whaley said he took into account the absence of weapons and sentenced Wong and Chu to 21/2 years' jail with two years and three months for Choi because he pleaded guilty to the theft charges.