A WITNESS who said he was too frightened to give evidence against tycoon Albert Yeung Sau-shing may have the threat of a prison sentence hanging over his head for years, the High Court heard yesterday.
Forex dealer Michael Lam Yih-jiun, 33, was held to be in contempt of court at Yeung's trial in May.
Yesterday, a High Court judge refused to hear his appeal until a sentence had been passed.
Lam's barrister, James Chandler, said that may not be for another two years because a legal battle over whether the contempt of court legislation breaches the Bill of Rights has to be settled first.
'Is it right that this should hang over his head for the next couple of years? After all, he is not a criminal,' Mr Chandler said.
He argued that the case was 'very peculiar' and that it would be in the interests of the community to have the appeal heard right away.