A hearing for a convicted fraudster ended abruptly yesterday because the defence lawyer attended without a wig and gown.

Cedric Oates, a 43-year-old US national was convicted in 2012 of defrauding Dianne Laird out of her $345,000 life savings in a “flipping” scheme to profit off US real estate.

While Oates steadfastly denied conning Ms Laird, he was convicted by a unanimous verdict following trial in late 2012 and sentenced to two-and-a-half years behind bars. He was further ordered to repay Ms Laird $200,000.

It is understood that Oates has yet to pay a sizeable portion of that money, and is likely to be deported to the US once released from custody.

The matter was set to appear in Supreme Court yesterday afternoon but Acting Justice Charlene Scott adjourned the matter after seeing Saul Dismont, representing Oates, without his horsehair wig and gown.

Mr Dismont objected to the decision, saying that he had been informed that the matter would be heard in chambers where such attire is not required.

“It’s an injustice to Mr Oates,” Mr Dismont said. “It’s injustice to Mr Oates to deny him a voice because we were misinformed.”

The judge however responded that it was an injustice to Oates that Mr Dismont attended court “unrobed”.

It is understood that a new hearing date will be set, but no date was set in court.

Barristers in Bermuda and other Commonwealth countries traditionally wear a gown and horsehair wig during appearances in Senior Courts such as Bermuda’s Supreme Court, with the court sometimes stating that it “cannot hear” improperly dressed barristers.