The Sun claims unfair treatment over ad for anti-Sars drink
The Sun newspaper claimed it had been treated unfairly by the Department of Health after publishing an advertisement promoting an anti-Sars drink, a court heard yesterday.
But solicitor Pierre Hui Hin-sing, who is manager of the Oriental Press Group's legal department, said the newspaper was pleading guilty to save time and resources. 'Despite our dissatisfaction, we pleaded guilty because we don't want to waste [more] time and money on the case,' Mr Hui said on behalf of The Sun, which is part of the Oriental Press Group.
Magistrate Eddie Yip Chor-man said he could not accept the newspaper's guilty plea when it felt it had been treated unfairly.
Mr Hui then applied for a permanent stay of proceedings, which angered the magistrate. Mr Yip said: 'Can any defendant plead guilty and admit the facts, but then call up [their boss] and change his mind?
'You are wasting the court's time.'
Mr Hui had earlier said the department hauled the newspaper straight into court instead of issuing the customary warning letter.
