12. Mar. 2010. – 12:04:37
Hendon Magistrates Court is situated in
North West London amidst private and council houses, offices, light industrial
units and many car showrooms..........a typical court in a typical
building. And as is the case in most......perhaps all, but that would be
only a reasoned presumption............courtrooms, bar the main remand
court, there are no permanently placed security personnel or police
officers. Contrast that with the courts I have visited in America
and the Caribbean where there is always at least one armed police officer on
duty.
Earlier this week an irate member of the
public left the public gallery at Hendon Court and entered the courtroom
mouthing abuse at the three JPs on the Bench. He was restrained by a defending
solicitor and rapidly ran from court. The magistrates had left the court
for their own safety. This is not an uncommon occurrence. My own
colleagues have faced similar actions and threats to kill from in the courtroom
and without. The security of a courtroom and those within is paramount
for the effective process of our open justice system. Until a judge or
magistrate is killed in court there is no chance whatsoever of requisite
security being available.
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