A judge yesterday allowed a case involving thousands of allegedly fake designer goods to proceed although the evidence had been destroyed in an apparent mix-up.
Deputy Judge Anthony Kwok Kai-on said the trial could start while the prosecution was compiling a full report explaining how and why the exhibits were disposed of.
'It is likely that Customs and Excise destroyed the exhibits by mistake,' he said.
The hearing will proceed based on evidence given by the Customs officers in charge and photos showing the exhibits.
Tse Kai-man, 45, denied one count of possession for sale, or for any purpose of trade or manufacture, goods to which a forged trademark had been applied.
Prosecutor Richard Ma Yau-lung told the District Court a team of Customs officers had searched an apartment in Sai Kung, rented by Tse, on February 15 last year and had seized fake designer goods including 435 handbags, 682 watches, 689 wallets, 97 keyholders and 40 purses. The products carried brand-names such as Rolex, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Omega, Fendi, Hermes and Cartier.
