HONG KONG (AP) - It was not the best legal defense strategy: A Hong Kong man appeared in court on drug charges wearing a T-shirt that said ``cocaine'' and drew a stern rebuke from the magistrate, a newspaper reported Thursday.
Ho Heng-chau pleaded guilty to possession of three ecstasy pills, but while his lawyer was arguing for a lenient sentence on Wednesday the magistrate noticed the T-shirt, according to the Apple Daily newspaper.
``Do you know you're appearing in court?'' Magistrate Ernest Lin was quoted as saying. ``What are you doing wearing a 'cocaine' T-shirt? You might as well carry a sign that says 'I'm a drug head.'''
Ho, 20, did not respond, Apple Daily said.
The magistrate fined Ho $510, then chided the young man again over the shirt.
``Next time a police officer sees you wearing a shirt like this he'll confront you,'' Lin was quoted as saying. ``Would you wear a shirt that says 'marijuana?'''
Judiciary spokeswoman Jaime Or told The Associated Press she had no information on Ho's case.
Ho Heng-chau pleaded guilty to possession of three ecstasy pills, but while his lawyer was arguing for a lenient sentence on Wednesday the magistrate noticed the T-shirt, according to the Apple Daily newspaper.
``Do you know you're appearing in court?'' Magistrate Ernest Lin was quoted as saying. ``What are you doing wearing a 'cocaine' T-shirt? You might as well carry a sign that says 'I'm a drug head.'''
Ho, 20, did not respond, Apple Daily said.
The magistrate fined Ho $510, then chided the young man again over the shirt.
``Next time a police officer sees you wearing a shirt like this he'll confront you,'' Lin was quoted as saying. ``Would you wear a shirt that says 'marijuana?'''
Judiciary spokeswoman Jaime Or told The Associated Press she had no information on Ho's case.
