Chinese farmer who lit up cigarette on Cathay flight 'didn't know it was illegal as he can't read'

A Chinese farmer who saw his "free trip" turn into an expensive nightmare after lighting up a cigarette in-flight was illiterate and had no idea smoking on planes was illegal, a court heard.

Xu Miaoqing, 61, from mainland China, made headlines after being caught smoking in the toilet on a Cathay Pacific flight from Bangkok on Christmas Day.

Yesterday, he was hit with a HK$2,000 fine after pleading guilty in Tsuen Wan Court in Hong Kong to a charge of smoking in an aircraft.

In mitigation, Xu's lawyer told the court his client was illiterate and did not know he was not allowed to smoke on the plane.

Besides the fine, the court heard that the case had cost Xu dear. He had to give up his travel documents during the investigation. And the period he had spent in Hong Kong had cost the Shanghai man a quarter of his income for the year. His holiday was meant to be free - a gift from his niece.

The court heard that a steward on flight CX708 went to the toilet cubicle after an alarm sounded. Xu was inside and there was a strong smell of smoke. A cigarette butt was found in the bowl.