Jockey-bribe accused has case to answer

A judge ruled yesterday that a former policeman had a case to answer on offering bribes to four apprentice jockeys to fix races.

District Court Judge Peter Longley gave the ruling on seven charges of offering an advantage, all of which Ng Siu-chau, 33, has denied.

The judgment came after defence barrister Graeme Hagon urged him to acquit Ng on a 'no case to answer' application.

Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions William Lam Kui-po asked for the case to be adjourned until Monday so he could prepare his final submission.

The prosecution has twice amended charges against Ng. The amended seven charges say Ng offered a portion of $1 million to be shared among Chung Chim-ki, Simon Yim Hin-keung, Alex Yu Kin-shing and Vickie Choi Chun-wa and/or offered to place some of it on bets for them and share the winnings if they finished in a given order in three races.

The prosecution said no definite agreement to rig the races was reached.