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SCMP Reporter

The Government has decided to amend charges faced by a former policeman accused of bribing apprentice jockeys to fix races.

 Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions William Lam Kui-po yesterday told Judge Peter Longley of the move and applied to adjourn the case for the afternoon pending legal advice.

 Barrister Graeme Hagon, defending Ng Siu-chau, 33, said he might have to recall all his witnesses if the prosecution submitted different charges.

 Policeman-turned-businessman Ng allegedly offered bribes to four apprentice jockeys, Chung Chim-ki, Simon Yim Hin-keung, Alex Yu Kin-shing and Vickie Choi Chun-wai, to fix three races in May and June 1996.

 The prosecution said Ng promised $1 million to be shared among the jockeys if they finished the races in the right order.

 Ng has denied seven charges of offering an advantage and a charge of failing to give Independent Commission Against Corruption officers details of his bank account.

 Yesterday, a stipendiary steward of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Kam Shiu-po, said the club had set many rules for apprentice jockeys to make sure racing was 'as clean as possible'.

 He said apprentices were not allowed to own pagers or motor vehicles without club permission.

 Mr Kam agreed it would be difficult to fix races, especially for less-experienced apprentice jockeys.

 'It is difficult because the field is big, there are a lot of jockeys involved and there is a very good surveillance system on the races,' he said.

 'There is no guarantee, even from the best jockey in the world, to have 100 per cent control of horses.'   The trial continues today in the District Court.



Charges to change in race-fixing case