$1,000 fine for Sevens streak

A REAL rugby fan would have wished to stay and watch the sports rather than display his shortcomings around the field, a magistrate said yesterday when he fined a man for public indecency.

Last Sunday, James William was seen running naked on to the grass pitch of the Hong Kong Stadium during the Rugby Sevens competition, the court was told. He was intercepted by army security personnel and a plain-clothes policeman.

He dressed himself and was escorted from the pitch area to the police duty room at the stadium where he was formally arrested. He admitted the offence under caution.

Investment banker William, 25, was fined $1,000 by Magistrate Fergal Sweeny.

In mitigation, defence lawyer Patrick Dougan said William's employment term might finish at the end of next month.

The court heard William had been drinking beer for five hours that day.