Con bone-dry after tiger tipple plea

A jailed lawyer demanded wine when he appeared before a High Court judge - and wine made with illegal tiger bone, at that.

It was for medicinal purposes, insisted $1.6 million embezzler Choi Sze-fai, claiming the lack of alcohol behind bars was damaging his health.

In a list of luxury items he requested to cushion his six-year stint in Stanley Prison, he asked for banned tiger bone papaya wine. If that was not available, he would settle for the popular and potent Ng Ka Pay.

Mr Justice Jerome Chan Chun-hung was taken aback: 'You want wine? You can't have wine in prison. Tiger bone wine is illegal and any prescription even claiming to have tiger in it is illegal. How can the commissioner supply it to you?' Choi said he had diagnosed himself as having rheumatoid pain, even though prison doctors disagreed.

Last week, the High Court had thrown out a petition by the prisoner, 35, for a television set, personal stereo and better quality toothbrushes and soap.

Mr Justice Chan yesterday dismissed Choi's request for a judicial review and ordered him to pay costs.