Defendant thrown the book for trying to pooh in courtroom

You can't beat the call of nature but if you're caught short, there are better places to embarrass yourself than in a courtroom.

Because there, you could be fined, if not jailed.

That's how a man from Zhejiang province learned the hard way, sina.com reports.

The man, surnamed Mao, was testifying as a defendant in a traffic accident trial in Quzhou City when he sprang from his seat and hurried toward a corner near the judge's desk.

A series of photographs shows him putting his pants down and attempting to defecate as a horrified judge and a bewildered gallery watch.

The judge is seen approaching him, presumably ordering him to stop and cover up.

He quickly adjourned the proceedings.

It was not clear how it all went down from that point but sina.com said Mao was profusely apologetic.

He said he was sorry for his behavior, adding he lacked knowledge of court etiquette.

The judge was not amused and fined him 1,000 yuan (US$150).

In mainland China, disrupting court proceedings, no matter the excuse or gravity of the problem, is punishable with a fine, reprimand or detention.

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