A MAJOR smuggling conspiracy trial ground to a halt for the third time yesterday because two defendants are being denied lunch.
Accused Customs officers Tang Shu-wan and Cheng Siu-keung, who are being held in custody, complained they had to endure 13 hours each day with just a cup of congee for sustenance.
But their eight co-defendants are on bail and at liberty to go for a slap-up meal.
Defence counsel, John McLanachan, told the District Court the problem was caused by red tape. He said the pair were incarcerated at Lai Chi Kok where they were given breakfast at 7 am, but not fed again until they arrived back at 8 pm.
All they were entitled to at court was a cup of congee.
Their hunger pangs meant they could not concentrate or give proper instructions, Mr McLanachan argued. The bizarre wrangle caused a one hour hold-up in yesterday's proceedings.