A British judge sporting full robes and a wig rugby-tackled a sex offender to the floor to prevent him from fleeing the court where he was on trial.
Judge Douglas Marks Moore, 60, wrestled with 34-year-old Paul Reid as he tried to escape from Woolwich Crown Court in London, the Press Association reported on Tuesday (local time).
"The jury were just leaving when the defendant jumped up and ran across the clerk's bench to get to the judge's door," said prosecutor Rupert Gregory.
"As he went through the door, his honour Judge Marks Moore grabbed him round the throat to try to bring him down.
"Together they went down three steps and then Mr Reid broke free and ran down the judge's corridor.
"The judge gave chase. Just as Mr Reid was about to open a push-handle fire door, Marks Moore rugby-tackled him around the throat and waist and brought him crashing to the ground, landing on top of him.
"He held him there, struggling and protesting, until the prison officers managed to catch up, secure him and return him to custody," Gregory added.
"The only thing preventing Paul Reid from pushing that fire door to the outside world was a judge in a wig and full robes."
This would have been something to behold. British Courts are the epitome of pomp, ceremony, stiff upper lips and all that.
But Paul Read reckoned without the Tackling Judge. We wouldn't be at all surprised if Judge Douglas Marks Moore is in demand from Chief Justices the world over to give advice on coutroom conduct!
3 comments:
It could never happen in NZ. The prisoner would claim the action to be a breach of his rights. The learned judge would in addition face action from OSH citing a section of the act relating to workplace safety, i.e. Section V11, Subsection 14, Clause 6B which explicit forbids rugby tackles in courtrooms.
He'd probably have to face the judiciary for the high tackle too ...
Too true Inv - especially if Stu Dickenson was the ref.
On the original topic that is something Judge Tony A'Deane would probably do.
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