Gangster Yip Kai-foon has hired a leading Queen's Counsel in a last-ditch effort to avoid a life sentence.
Yip, 35, was finally granted his request for a 'famous brain' after telling the judge his relatives had secured the services of Gary Plowman QC.
He was due to be sentenced yesterday for shooting at police and possessing a big haul of explosives.
But Mr Justice Michael Stuart-Moore agreed to adjourn the case until Monday so Mr Plowman could be present.
There was standing room only at the High Court as spectators crammed into the public gallery to see Hong Kong's most notorious criminal receive his punishment.
The judge has warned Yip he is considering imposing the maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Eric Kwok, defending, said Yip's relatives had lodged cash with solicitors and Mr Plowman was ready to take on the case.
