A TEENAGER who took part in a goldsmith's shop robbery more than three years ago and was arrested when he sneaked back into Hongkong with a group of illegal immigrants was yesterday sentenced to 10 years' jail.
Passing sentence on Fan Chi-wai, 19, Deputy Judge Gould noted that although no shots were fired by the robbers, they aimed what appeared to be pistols at a policeman in their bid to escape. The policeman fired two shots.
While Fan only had a knife, he must thought that guns would be used, and there was a risk that shots would be fired at the public, the judge said.
He took into consideration the fact that Fan was only 16 at the time of the robbery.
Fan had originally pleaded not guilty to one count each of robbery and possession of a firearm at the time of the crime.
But he changed his plea regarding the holdup after the Crown opened its case.
No evidence was offered against him on the second charge.