A Old Bailey courtroom erupted in laughter today (

A Old Bailey courtroom erupted in laughter today (Tues) when
a juror got locked in the lavatory.

The man’s giggling companions were brought back into court
and told to stop considering their verdicts while maintenance
staff frantically tried to free him.

‘Talk about the weather or something or have a cup of tea,’
Judge Bruce Laughland QC, doing his best to suppress a smile,

told the 11 men and women.

The embarrassing moment in the middle of the jury’s delibera
tions in the trial of accused armed robber, Paul McIntosh.

A note was sent to the judge explaining the predicament and
he called the jury into court.

He remarked that although it was a ‘somewhat humorous’ situa
tion the jury should try to remember the seriousness of the
proceedings.

The jurors incarceration finally ended when staff managed to
force the loo door.

He returned to his deliberations apparently none the worse

for wear.

After regaining his composure the juror returned to the

court.

Judge Laughland apologised to the jury for ‘the diversion.

‘
‘I do hope the juror who was locked in is well and able to go
on.

‘
The young man said he was, to which the judge replied: ‘I am
sorry about the difficulty and embarassement.

Of course it is
humorous to those who were not locked in.

‘
He reminded the jury the matter they were considering was
very serious and asked them to return to their room to continue
their deliberations.

McIntosh, despite the fact that his liberty hangs in the
balance, had grinned and laughed along with the rest of the court
when he heard what had happened.

He denies robbery and attempted robbery and associated fire
arms offences

ENDS
MMMM