A DIRECTOR of kung fu films and a Chinese opera star were among 39 diners robbed at gunpoint in a $470,000 raid on a packed restaurant, the High Court heard yesterday.
Director Lau Kar-leung, his wife, former actress Yung Ching-ching, and singer Yuen Siu-fai were enjoying a quiet supper in the Tai Ping Koon Restaurant, Yau Ma Tei, when four gunmen burst in, it was claimed.
Diners screamed in terror as they were robbed of jewellery, watches and cash, prosecutor Wayne Moultrie said.
Lau was forced to hand over $320 and his watch. Yuen, seated at another table, was robbed of $1,200.
Mr Moultrie said Pun Luen-pan, 19, Lam Ka-lok, 20, Pang Oi-kwong, 20, and a fourth youth had ''systematically robbed'' diners in the raid on January 2 last year.
As the gang fled by taxi they opened fire on police constable Chan Chi-man and detective constable Cham Wui-kwai, wounding both officers, the court heard.
The raid happened a year after Pun and at least two ac complices robbed American banker William Overholt and a security guard of $6,780 after threatening him and his family with a gun at their home in Repulse Bay, the court heard.