Protection-racket petrol bombing of ferry denied

A dim sum worker petrol-bombed a Chek Lap Kok airport ferry after the owners refused to pay protection money, a court heard yesterday.

The Pok Moon ferry was attacked on January 16 while moored in Castle Peak Bay, the District Court heard.

Lai Chi-wah, 25, denied one count of arson. It was claimed he had two unidentified accomplices.

The ferry was used to transport construction workers from Central, Tsuen Wan and Tuen Mun to the airport site.

Chan Kam, a shareholder of the Bon Moon Shipping Company, the boat's owner, told the court two men had tried to fleece protection money of $8,000 last December. He said he refused to pay.

Two police officers patrolling Kadoorie Beach saw petrol bombs being thrown at the boat from a sampan, said prosecutor David Mackenzie-Ross.