Malaysian court lets off Aussies who partied in briefs

Edward Leaney, front left, and Jack Walker, front right, leave the Sepang Magistrate in Sepang, Malaysia, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Joshua Paul) (The Associated Press)

Edward Leaney leaves the Sepang Magistrate in Sepang, Malaysia, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016. Nine Australian friends who spent four nights in Malaysian police detention appeared in a court for the first time on Thursday after stripping down to their briefs and drinking beer from shoes at the Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix, an official said. (AP Photo/Joshua Paul) (The Associated Press)

John Walker, father of Jack Walker, one of the nine Australian men arrested smiles as he take questions from journalists at the Sepang Magistrate in Sepang, Malaysia, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016. Nine Australian friends who spent four nights in Malaysian police detention appeared in a court for the first time on Thursday after stripping down to their briefs and drinking beer from shoes at the Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix, an official said. (AP Photo/Joshua Paul) (The Associated Press)

Nine Australians charged after stripping down to skimpy briefs at the Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix walked free Thursday without a conviction after pleading guilty to causing a public nuisance and apologizing.

The nine were detained Sunday after they partied in Budgy Smuggler-brand swimsuits decorated with the Malaysian flag and drank beer from shoes in full view of thousands of spectators at the Sepang track after Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo won the race.

Defense lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah said the court accepted his argument that it was a trivial offense and that the nine, dressed in suits, were ignorant of the local culture and remorseful. He said one of them read out an apology to the court.

Shafee said the court admonished the nine and discharged them without convictions.