Prosecutor John Dixon, QC, slammed the man's testing regime, which involved him consuming it himself or giving it to people like the late Sir Colin and seeing how they felt.
"I suggest it was woefully inadequate and utterly unscientific."
Under cross-examination, Carline refused to accept his methods were unscientific. "When you're leading in what you do, there's no one to follow." Carline was adamant his new product was twice as effective as it had been, so he lowered the dosage. However, that was not reflected on the label.
Sportsvel, as endorsed by Sir Bob Charles, was advertised as containing 250mg of deer velvet but sometimes contained as little as 180mg, the court heard. The prosecution argues that deception was deliberate.
Defence counsel Judith Ablett-Kerr QC called the mislabelling "corporate negligence". It is one of a raft of issues Judge Kevin Phillips will have to determine.
The case has been before the court for more than a week for a disputed-facts hearing. Evidence is expected to conclude tomorrow before closing submissions are heard next month.
