Pair jailed six years for robbery

Two robbers were each jailed for six years yesterday for snatching $850,000 from a businessman in Tsim Sha Tsui and bashing his head with a hammer.

Mr Justice Thomas Gall of the Court of First Instance told Liu Chun-fung and Lau Wai that the robbery on July 17 last year could have caused the victim serious brain injuries. Liu, 27, and Lau, 24, both pleaded guilty to robbery.

The prosecution said that on that day, Zhang Pei, 37, was carrying $850,000 when the pair followed him in Ocean Centre.

When Mr Zhang walked down the escalator, Lau took out a hammer and hit him on the head as Liu grabbed the bag of money. They then fled.

Two security guards chased and overpowered them near a post office. The police were called and the pair arrested.

Under caution, the men claimed a person in Shenzhen had promised them a few thousand dollars if they carried out the robbery.