Trial for man accused of nicking bubbly from judge

A man accused of robbing £200 from a High Court judge in London’s legal district while clutching a bottle of champagne is to stand trial in May.

Terry Brown, 45, allegedly stopped Sir Robin Knowles, 56, on Middle Temple Lane and told him to hand over his wallet on 27 September at 21:30.

The suspect was captured on CCTV holding a champagne bottle and switching it between his hands.

CCTV allegedly shows Brown taking cash from Sir Knowles’ wallet and handing it back.

Brown failed to turn up for a pretrial hearing Inner London Crown Court today after refusing to leave his cell at HMP Thameside.

No representative appeared for him.

In his absence Judge Mark Bishop set a trial date for 30 May.

It was previously said that when security staff checked the film they saw the man, who the prosecution say is Brown, had also stolen the bottle of bubbly.

The figure is seen going into the Lamb chambers building and taking a bottle of ‘fine champagne’.

It was siad that Brown used a swipe card to gain access to the building and was challenged by members of that chambers at the time.

Brown, of no fixed address, is charged with robbery.

He now faces a plea and trial preparation hearing on 17 January.

If he pleads not guilty he will then face a jury on 30 May.

Sir Robin Knowles CBE has been a barrister for 30 years and a judge of the High Court of England and Wales since 2014.