A MAN accused of taking part in a godown robbery during which $14.5 million worth of gold ornaments and antiques, including a Tang Dynasty porcelain horse, were stolen went on trial in the High Court yesterday. Wong Chi-keung, 28, has pleaded not guilty to robbery and is being tried by a jury before Deputy Judge Yeung. Senior Crown counsel Mr Francis Lo said the antique horse was on a worldwide display organised by Sotheby's prior to an auction due to be held in London on December 12, 1989. It was put on display at the Furama Hotel from November 9 to 13, 1989, before it was moved to a Chai Wan godown the following morning. On the same day, he said, a quantity of ornaments were also taken to the godown for safe keeping. The court heard that later that day, robbers armed with knives burst into the Chai Wan premises, overpowered the two staff and made away with the valuables. Mr Lo said Wong and two other men were intercepted by police on December 2, 1989. Using a set of keys found on one of them, Mr Lo said, the officers entered a North Point flat where the stolen property as well as a Sotheby's catalogue were recovered. Mr Lo said police later arrested a man called Fung Kwok-kuen who was one of the men who raided the godown and he was granted immunity to give evidence for the Crown. Wong is defended by Mr Roderick Murray. The hearing continues.
