Witness claims seeing Tanya Chan present over bar gathering case

A prosecution witness in Tanya Chan’s trial over her bar gathering case told the court today that she have seen Chan entering the bar after filing a report to the police about the alleged gathering breach.

Chan and the head of the Small and Medium Restaurant Federation, Gordon Lam, denied breaching a four-person gathering limit at a bar in Mong Kok a year ago in early April.

The Kowloon City Court heard there are multiple problems with the prosecution witnesses, with one disappearing, another refusing to turn up and a third lying about her identity.

The witness, Poon Mei-mei, said she had to lie about her identity “to protect herself".

The court was told that prosecutors initially wanted to call five witnesses, but there are now only three.

They couldn't get hold of the other two. Summons were issued, but one was not found and the other later refused to testify.

An arrest warrant has been issued for the witness who refused to go to court.

Poon testified that she was having dessert across the street from the bar and saw how Chan went inside.

The witness said there were around 25 others already inside the premises and she kept watch because she was concerned about "bad elements" at the bar.

The trial continues.