STONES AT JUDGE IN COURT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18899, 27 June 1923, Page 10

STONES AT JUDGE IN COURT

ASSAILANT SENT TO PRISON. Mr Justice Romer had just taken his seat in the Chancery Division at the Law Courts on April 27 when a middle-aged man, whose name was given as Arthur Henry Ravenhill, of Kirby, near Frinton-on-Sea, Essex, rose at the back of the court, and, with a loud exclamation, threw three handfuls of pebbles in the direction of the judge.. The stones fell all around Mr Justice Romer, some narrowly missing his face, and clattered against the oak panelling and upon the judge’s bench. They narrowly missed Mr j. H. Cunliffo, K.C., and other counsel, and several people in court were hit as the stones rebounded. The man was at once seized by an usher and taken out of court Mr Cunliffe said that perhaps the missiles were for him. Mr Justice Romer laughingly replied that it looked more as if the man aimed at the Bench. The judge then ordered the man to be brought back into court, and sternly told him that he had been guilty of a contempt of court and would bo committed to Brixton Gaol. A tipstaff took the man away. It is stated that Ravenhill was an unsuccessful litigant in an action heard about 12 months ago by Mr Justice Romer, and also lost his appeal. Attacks on those engaged in the administration of justice are rare, writes a legal correspondent. The late Lord Halsbury, when Mr Hnrdinge Giffard, appearing as counsel at the Old Bailey in 1854, was shot at in court by an insane clergyman, who fancied lie had a grievance against him. The clergyman was sent to Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asvlnm.

Another time, a disappointed litigant in the Chancery Court throw an egg at -one of the vice-chancellors, whose comment was: “Obviously intended for my brother Bacon.” In 1911 Mr Justice Ridlov was hit on the forehead bv a stool hurled from the dock by a prisoner at Birmingham Assizes. The man said it was meant for a witness.