A witness feared to be suffering from the deadly S

A witness feared to be suffering from the deadly SARS
virus was asked to leave a court today (Mon) after he coughed and sneezed through his evidence.

Solicitor Venkatram Ramakrishman, 32, returned from a trip to China yesterday (SUN) with flu like symptoms.

The witness, who had been walking around Snarebrook Crown Court in a mask, was told he would have to give his evidence via a video link.

Judge David Pitman said he had considered making the solicitor wear a mask in court.

But prosecutor Jeremy Lynn said: ‘Joking aside, if there is some real suggestion this man may be suffering from a disease which has made people cancel flights, the last thing someone ought to be doing is bringing him into a public court.

‘

The judge then decided to bar Mr Ramakrishman from the court despite a doctor’s assurance he was unlikely to be infectious.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, has killed 90 victims and caused panic in Hong Kong and Singapore.

Three people with suspected SARS have been treated in London hospitals have been sent home after making a full recovery.

Judge Pitman told jurors: ‘When Mr Ramakrishman came into court this morning he was feeling flu like symptoms.

‘Just in case we are taking the precaution to make you feel easier about it so he won’t be breathing on you.

Mr Ramakrishman, of JR Jones Solicitors in Stratford, east London, was giving evidence on behalf of his client Benjamin Kebbell.

Speaking outside court with a towel over his mouth he said: ‘We are just taking these precautionary measures essentially until I get full clearance in a week.

‘I am absolutely confident I have not got SARS.

‘

Speaking on the video link without his mask, he told the court he advised his 21-year-old client Ben
Kebbell to make no comment during an interview at Romford Police Station on October 20 last year.

Armed with a petrol can, Ben Kebbell, 21, abducted terrified Mark Stewart, 18, it is alleged.

He drove his victim to Manor Road, Hainault Forest, Essex and dragged him to a quiet corner where he threatened to turn the accounts clerk into a human fireball.

Kebbell, of (18) Mierscourt Road, Rainham, Gillingham, Kent, has denied one charge of common assault and one charge of kidnapping.

The trial continues.

ends