King's Lynn: Hundreds queue for open day at courts

Visitors of the innocent variety got to see what usually only convicted criminals, remand prisoners and those who look after clap eyes on, when a court opened its doors to the public.

The first thing they probably noticed when they walked along the corridor with its three holding cells beneath King's Lynn's crown and magistrates' courts, was the flowery smell of the floor cleaner.

Those awaiting justice or a van to take them to prison have little to occupy themselves, apart from blackboards they can chalk on.

"We do our best to settle them down," said one of the guards. "They can have newspapers and magazines.

"Some of them don't mind going to prison - especially at Christmas."

Judge Alice Robinson (Image: Newsquest)

Upstairs Judge Alice Robinson was giving a talk on her work.

Asked whether she feared being recognised outside the court in Norwich, where she is resident judge, she said: "It doesn't bother me.

"Most of the people I see in the crown court regard being there as an occupational hazard so they don't think personally about the judge."

She added she sometimes wondered whether she had done the right thing when it came to sentencing, but would have been provided with all the information she needed to do so by expert counsel.

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Members of the public do not normally get to see behind the scenes at Norfolk's courts (Image: Chris Bishop)

There were queues outside the court as hundreds waited their turn to pass through the court's stringent security checks.

Inside there were talks, mock trials and displays by the police, Prison Service, magistrates and Crown Prosecution Service, along with a sniffer dog demonstration.

Summing up, Judge Robinson said she was pleased by the turn-out.

"It's important because people learn about justice and anything that improves the public's awareness of the administration of justice is a good thing," she said. 

"I'd like to thank all the volunteers and staff who've worked so hard to make it happen."