Chow, 20, was charged with possessing 20 tablets containing a total of 0.09 grams of nimetazepam - also known as Erimin-5 - and traces of nitrazepam. The powerful sleeping pills are classed as a hypnotic and cost between $60 and $70 each.

Chow's lawyer urged the court to show leniency to Chow, saying that a criminal record was a severe punishment.

The court was told that Chow had a caring family and only got the drugs out of curiosity.

Chow was arrested by officers from the Narcotics Bureau when he returned to his home in Ngau Tau Kok at 1am on April 27.

Chow, a nephew of songwriter Dominic Chow Kai-sang, has released two albums in the past three years.

He also starred in two movies, Moving Targets and Koma.

After the arrest he pulled out of a TVB series in which he was to play a young policeman.

The maximum penalty for possession of a dangerous drug is seven years' imprisonment and a $1 million fine.