A man who was on the run for more than a decade went on trial yesterday for his role in the robbery of a Wan Chai jewellery shop 15 years ago. Ng Po-kwong, 43, was extradited from Taiwan on October 14 last year to face trial for the May 22, 1989, robbery. He pleaded not guilty in the Court of First Instance to a charge of robbery at Sea Hill Jewellery in Hennessy Road. Prosecutor Raymond Cheng Hoi-chung told the jury Ng drove the getaway car for three armed men who held up the shop. The car had been stolen from Ng's former employer, Mr Cheng said. The jury heard the robbers ordered staff to put gold and jewellery worth $520,000 into a black bag. Alerted by a passer-by, a police officer saw the men flee to a white car and fired two shots. The abandoned car was found 20 minutes later at the junction of Hennessy Road and O'Brien Road. Ng admitted he drove the getaway car when he was arrested two days later, the jury was told. The prosecution said Ng was brought to court on May 26, 1989, and released on bail. However, he failed to report back. The trial continues before Deputy Judge Barnabas Fung Wah.
