A former construction worker, who was arrested by the ICAC for allegedly intimidating a witness in the trial of a false accounting case, was charged and brought to Western Court this (Friday) afternoon.

Chu Ka-shing, 41, formerly employed by Muk Kee Construction Company (Muk Kee), faced one count of doing an act tending and intended to pervert the course of public justice.

No plea was taken. Magistrate Ms Katherine Lo adjourned the case until next Friday (October 20) for mention, and remanded Chu in the custody of the Correctional Services Department.

The charge alleged that on October 9 this year, Chu did an act which had a tendency to pervert the course of public justice in that he threatened prosecution witness Chan Hin-hoi not to give full and truthful evidence in the trial of Lam Hon-ngan.

Lam, 41, construction site foreman of Muk Kee, was earlier charged by the ICAC with 24 counts of false accounting.

The case originated from a corruption complaint, alleging that Muk Kee workers might have bribed Lam to connive at their absence from duty with full pay. ICAC enquiries revealed false accounting offences.

Lam pleaded not guilty to the offences, and a trial began in Western Court on Monday.

Magistrate Mr Tong Yee-chun revoked his bail and remanded him in the custody of the Correctional Services Department after the prosecution alleged that a prosecution witness in Lam's trial was intimidated.

Lam's case was adjourned until next Thursday (October 19) for continued hearing.

The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Cheung Chung-hon.