Canto-pop heavenly king Jacky Cheung Hok-yau can win people's hearts everywhere, even in court. He was in Eastern Court this week to testify as a prosecution witness against his former maid, who is accused of stealing three photos and a personal letter.

Despite a cramped leg, caused by sitting too long in court, the first thing Cheung did after testifying was sign an autograph for a court clerk who had been eagerly waiting outside the courtroom. The overjoyed woman thanked Cheung and wished him merry Christmas. Only then did he have time to massage his leg and thank a policewoman who helped him in the case.

Outside the court building, Cheung was swamped by reporters and complained: 'I didn't expect that testimony would take so long. I missed my daughter's Christmas performance at school.'