"Because however much -- and I really probably should have said something to (defence lawyer Richard Prendiville, who was also wearing a poppy) too -- but however much you may think that's a totally acceptable symbol, and that it is totally neutral, that might not be entirely the case for everybody who comes to court," the judge said.

Woolcott continued: "It represents a symbol of support and I suspect that 99.999 per cent of us happily wear it outside of the courtroom. You probably should not wear anything like that in court."

Before she excused Haines, Woolcott told him that she might ask him to remove the poppy next time...


Just when you thought things couldn't possibly get any worse.