THERE WAS a time when the slightest utterance of discontent from the person in the dock would be met by some form of censure by the judge.
But an example of how far we have come from those times was illustrated this morning at Grays Magistrates Court as a prisoner violently reacted to not being granted bail.
Brett Bruce (18) had just been informed by the Presiding Magistrate Mr Dixey that he would not released after he had been arrested on charges of assault.
As the two security guards in the dock moved towards him to place handcuffs on him, the accused shouted a number of obscenities and threatened the guard with physical violence.
Mr Dixey immediately sprang from his bench and along with his two colleagues, retired to the safety of their back office.
Mr Bruce was eventually pacified and led down to the cells where he was remanded in custody until next month.
Oh dear me, what a joke, so what are these magistrates and security guards there for? di Mr Bruce get a further sentence for his contempt of court and his threatening behaviour or is the magistrate too scared to pass sentence for fear of any reprisals??