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Birmingham owner Carson Yeung's trial postponed by Hong Kong judge Birmingham owner Carson Yeung's trial postponed by Hong Kong judge
(about 5 hours later)
A Hong Kong judge has granted the Birmingham City owner Carson Yeung's request to postpone his trial on money laundering charges, which was due to start on Wednesday.A Hong Kong judge has granted the Birmingham City owner Carson Yeung's request to postpone his trial on money laundering charges, which was due to start on Wednesday.
Douglas Yau, a district court judge, granted a request by Yeung's newly-appointed lawyer, Joseph Tse, to adjourn the trial until 29 April. Tse argued that more time was needed to prepare for the complex case which involves more than 720m Hong Kong dollars (£58m). Douglas Yau, a district court judge, granted a request by Yeung's newly appointed lawyer, Joseph Tse, to adjourn the trial until 29 April. Tse argued that more time was needed to prepare for the complex case which involves more than 720m Hong Kong dollars (£58m).
The charges against Yeung, which he denies, involve money deposited into bank accounts from January 2001 to December 2007.The charges against Yeung, which he denies, involve money deposited into bank accounts from January 2001 to December 2007.
The court heard that Yeung, who was arrested and charged in June 2011, went through five other lawyers who had tried and failed multiple times to unfreeze his assets so that he could pay for his defence. The judge said it was not Yeung's fault that his previous lawyers "chose the wrong fight".The court heard that Yeung, who was arrested and charged in June 2011, went through five other lawyers who had tried and failed multiple times to unfreeze his assets so that he could pay for his defence. The judge said it was not Yeung's fault that his previous lawyers "chose the wrong fight".
Yeung's new lawyer said he has managed to raise money from an alternative source for the trial.Yeung's new lawyer said he has managed to raise money from an alternative source for the trial.
Yau, who dismissed the prosecution's allegation that it was a delaying tactic, said: "Public money would be better spent waiting for the defendant to get his defence team ready and then proceeding to a swift and efficient trial.Yau, who dismissed the prosecution's allegation that it was a delaying tactic, said: "Public money would be better spent waiting for the defendant to get his defence team ready and then proceeding to a swift and efficient trial.
"Yeung knows he won't be able to escape from the destiny of a trial but all that he asks for is the opportunity to have a fair trial.""Yeung knows he won't be able to escape from the destiny of a trial but all that he asks for is the opportunity to have a fair trial."
Yeung, a former hairdresser, bought Birmingham in a protracted takeover in October 2009 for £81.5m, controlling the club through his company Birmingham International – shares of which have been suspended from the Hong Kong stock exchange since he was arrested.Yeung, a former hairdresser, bought Birmingham in a protracted takeover in October 2009 for £81.5m, controlling the club through his company Birmingham International – shares of which have been suspended from the Hong Kong stock exchange since he was arrested.
The company said last week it was in advanced talks with one of several prospective buyers of the club, but did not name them.The company said last week it was in advanced talks with one of several prospective buyers of the club, but did not name them.
Before his takeover of Birmingham, Yeung was a little-known businessman who reportedly invested in a Macau casino and owned a stake in a Hong Kong newspaper. His only previous experience with professional football consisted of a stint as chairman of Hong Kong Rangers Football Club from 2005-06.Before his takeover of Birmingham, Yeung was a little-known businessman who reportedly invested in a Macau casino and owned a stake in a Hong Kong newspaper. His only previous experience with professional football consisted of a stint as chairman of Hong Kong Rangers Football Club from 2005-06.
A pre-trial review is scheduled for 25 March. The trial is expected to last five weeks.A pre-trial review is scheduled for 25 March. The trial is expected to last five weeks.