Carson Yeung shuttles between hospital and trial
After judge's ultimatum, businessman attends hearing but declines to take the stand
Birmingham City soccer club owner Carson Yeung Ka-sing yesterday told the court how he managed to attend his trial on money-laundering charges despite being in the hospital the night before.
The trial also took a twist when Yeung decided not to take the stand and his defence rested. The trial has been adjourned and the defence and prosecution will make final submission when it resumes in October.
The trial, now in its 38th day, was initially slated to last 25 days.
The District Court heard yesterday that Yeung had originally scheduled two procedures - a colonoscopy and gastroscopy - yesterday morning, but he postponed them until today to accommodate the court hearing.
He was discharged from the private Canossa Hospital (Caritas) on The Peak at 5am yesterday to attend the trial and was readmitted to hospital at 6pm.
Yeung, a 52-year-old barber turned businessman, faces five charges of knowingly dealing with ill-gotten gains. His alleged crimes involved gains of HK$721 million with five bank accounts from 2001 to 2007. He has denied all the charges.
On Thursday morning, defence lawyer Graham Harris SC said his client was in discomfort owing to a cardiac condition and needed to be treated in hospital.