Nick Ong: Former Gold Coast restaurateur committed to stand trial in attempted kidnapping case
A former Gold Coast restaurant owner accused of trying to kidnap a young woman from her home allegedly owed money to her parents at the time. Read the latest from court.
Police & Courts
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A former Gold Coast restaurateur accused of trying to kidnap a young woman from her home owed money to his alleged victim’s family at the time, a court has been told.
Nick Ong – the former owner of a now-closed PappaRich Malaysian franchise in Surfers Paradise – allegedly tried to kidnap Nok Hang “Crystal” Fung from Varsity Lakes in the early hours of December 3, 2021.
He is charged with one count each of attempted kidnapping and entering a dwelling and committing an offence. He is yet to enter a plea.
Mr Ong’s alleged victim – who was 18 at the time – was the first of four witnesses to give evidence at his committal proceedings in Southport Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
Ms Fung said she woke up to see her bedroom door was slightly ajar, with light coming in from a room on the other side.
She told the court she got up to turn off the light – which she thought her father might have forgotten about – and was reaching for the door when a “huge black shadow” lunged at her.
Ms Fung claimed she screamed and struggled with the intruder, saying she covered her own mouth to protect herself from being drugged.
The court was told Ms Fung was allegedly dragged from the room but managed to escape before they reached the back door.
It was heard the young woman’s mother – who also gave evidence through a Cantonese interpreter – ran to her daughter’s screams and tried to get help from a neighbour.
She later told police she thought the man was wearing a red-and-white shirt and a helmet, and saw only the bumper bar of the car he ran to and fled in.
The court was told Mr Ong was one of several guests at the Varsity Lakes home earlier that night.
Ms Fung’s mother said she made sure the front door was locked before leaving to play mahjong, and found the back and laundry doors open after the alleged kidnapping attempt.
It was heard Ms Fung’s mother often gambled at casinos and their family had loaned money to several people, including $120,000 to a Broadbeach restaurant owner and an unknown amount to Mr Ong. Both were still owing at the time.
Police witnesses said it was possible an unknown suspect and second vehicle were involved in the alleged incident.
Mr Ong was then committed to stand trial in Southport District Court, with defence barrister Alastair McDougall conceding a prima facie case at the end of witness evidence.
Mr Ong will remain on bail, with his case to be mentioned in the coming months.