defend his "constitutional rights''.

Dreadlocked Devaughn Richardson, charged with a minor drugs offence, remained standing alongside a supporter during the five-minute Magistrates' Court hearing.

He held his red, yellow and green flag over his right shoulder until he was freed on bail, after choosing to have his case heard in the Supreme Court.

Senior Magistrate Will Francis tolerated the unusual scenes after duty counsel Kim Wilson pleaded for Richardson, 26, to be allowed to hold his flag.

Richardson, of Philpott Lane, Sandys, was freed on bail for $500 after being charged with possessing a small amount of cannabis last February.

But Mr. Francis heard Richardson also had an outstanding warrant for traffic offences -- and his ticket provoked angry scenes between Ms Wilson and Police prosecutor Sgt. Phil Taylor.

Sgt. Taylor, who argued unsuccessfully for a heavier bail fee, handed Richardson's traffic ticket to Ms Wilson, saying: "Read it if you can.'' But Ms Wilson, turning to Mr. Francis, said: "I do not deserve, nor should I be treated in this regard by the Police prosecution.

"I have a right to see what my client is having put to him.'' Sgt. Taylor told Mr. Francis he "did not mean to be facetious'', adding: "The ticket is one of those very, very bad copies.

"That's why I said: `Read it if you can'.'' Richardson, fined $800 for an uninsured and unlicensed bike, was unmoved by the row between the lawyers and continued holding his flag.

Flag-flying day in court! And Ms Wilson had opened his case by fighting for him to be allowed to carry his flag.

Mr. Francis said: "Do I have to allow this? Am I going to be faced with another man carrying an American flag, another with a French flag or somebody carrying the Union Jack? "He has the right to carry the flag, I recognise the flag and I have respect for it.

"But I don't want to set any precedent for carrying a flag in court. Is there a constitutional right for him to come into court with the flag when he's having a charge read to him?'' Ms Wilson said: "He wishes to express his constitutional right, which is freedom of religion.

"He means no disrespect to the court and no disrespect to you, your worship.

"Making the analogy with the other flags is probably of less significance.

The semblance and the meaning of the flag has a direct parallel to his religious freedoms.'' Richardson will appear at Magistrates' Court again on June 10, before the case is transferred to Supreme Court.

Ms Wilson said he was charged with possessing only "one point something grammes'' of cannabis.