A TAXI driver was able to identify a treasured $100 note stolen from him as he had memorised the lucky serial number, the District Court heard yesterday. The banknote was not so lucky for the man who stole it. He was arrested within 30 minutes of the robbery. Taxi driver Lam Kam-wah surprised police by reciting the number of the banknote - Q55595 - when he called at Sheung Shui police station to report the robbery. The robber, Fung Nam-shing, 26, was jailed for six years after he pleaded guilty to robbing nine taxi drivers, possessing a knife and giving false information to a pawn broker. Fung preyed on taxi drivers operating late at night and in quiet areas. He carried out two robberies in April 1992 and a further six this year. Deputy Judge Day said Fung would either go armed with a knife or threaten his victims that he had such a weapon. The judge ordered that he pay $5,000 compensation to taxi drivers. The robber boarded Mr Lam's taxi in Nelson Street, Mongkok, and asked to be taken to Sheung Shui. The court heard Fung suddenly produced a sharp object and forced Mr Lam to hand over $350. The driver then went to the police station. Prosecutor Sondra Riley said Fung was stopped by police half an hour after the robbery. Judge Day sentenced Fung to five years' jail on each charge of robbery. He made the sentences concurrent but ordered that one of them should not begin until Fung had served 12 months. The judge said he took into account that none of the taxi drivers was injured in the robberies.
