TWO Malaysian tourists and a local man were wounded in a brawl that erupted when they asked two Korean women for a dance in a lounge, the High Court heard. On trial before Deputy Judge Chan and a jury is bartender Bobby Miralles Riesgo, 21, who has pleaded not guilty to three charges of wounding. Riesgo faces a charge of wounding with intent Mr Ooi Say Cheong, on June 1 last year at the Grammy Lounge, Hart Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui. He also faces two charges of wounding Mr Ng Kim Sing and a Hongkong man, Mr Chow Yat-tung, at the lounge. Senior Crown Counsel Mr Graham Rhead said the three victims and two Malaysian women went to the lounge at about 1.50 am. After about three hours of drinking, Mr Chow and Mr Ng went to speak to two Korean women intending to ask them for a dance, Mr Rhead said. The women were at a table next to the defendant. Suddenly there was a brawl in which Mr Chow and Mr Ng sustained cuts. As they were leaving the lounge, Mr Chow and Mr Ng turned to see the defendant fighting with Mr Ooi. The police arrived and found Mr Ooi with a stomach wound. Riesgo suffered slight injuries to his head and ear. The defendant was arrested and told police he had met the Korean women that night. Riesgo claimed the scuffle started when the victims attacked him and other people became involved. He said he did not cause the injuries suffered by the victims. The defendant said he was hit over the head with a bottle. Mr Rhead said one of the Korean women would testify that they were approached by two of the men and she thought they were asking for a dance. But because the women did not understand much English they did not respond. She saw the fight break out. She would also testify the defendant was not part of their group that night, counsel said.
