A MAN went on trial in the District Court yesterday for allegedly passing a counterfeit $100 note to a taxi driver. Cheung Kwok-keung, 19, a transport worker, pleaded not guilty before Judge Wong to one count of passing a counterfeit banknote and two counts of possessing counterfeit banknotes. Prosecutor Gramsci DiFazio said taxi driver Lam Chau-man picked up Cheung on April 23 last year, and was told to drive to Lok Kwan Estate. The Crown alleges that on arrival Cheung produced a $100 banknote for a $10 taxi fare. Mr Lam gave $90 change to Cheung. Mr Lam then noticed the $100 banknote provided by Cheung was smaller and thicker than usual, the court heard. Cheung reappeared later and tried to get into another taxi. Mr Lam confronted Cheung, who offered to pay him back the money, counsel said. After a struggle, Cheung was held until police arrived, the court heard. Police allegedly found nine $100 counterfeit banknotes in his shoe and 90 $100 counterfeit notes in his flat. Cheung allegedly told the police the banknotes in question were given to him by a man called Yiu Ki. Cheung was represented by counsel Aziz Hoosen. The trial continues.
