Judge weights in on US actor's alleged hate hoax

Jussie Smollett is being accused of filing a fake police report.

A judge has spoken strongly about allegations that a US actor staged a hoax hate crime against himself.

In a police report, Smollett claimed he was subject to a homophobic and racist assault.

Judge John Fitzgerald Lyke said the charges are "utterly outrageous" and "despicable" if they're true.

36-year-old Smolllett, who stars in the TV series Empire, is accused of carrying out the publicity stunt in a bid to advance his career and name.

His legal team say the accusations against him are an "organised law enforcement spectacle."

They also say he is "a young man of impeccable character."