A judge was attacked in a crown court yesterday when a man stormed his bench from the public gallery.
Judge John Devaux had just jailed another man for causing death by dangerous driving when the attacker burst out of the public gallery.
He took off his top to reveal a black vest and ran shouting up the steps towards the judge’s elevated position.
He pulled off his wig and grabbed at his robes before being overpowered by two court officers.
The shaken judge was ushered to safety from the number two courtroom at Ipswich Crown Court in Suffolk as the man was taken to the cells.
Judge Devaux was unharmed and quickly returned to hear the next case, telling barristers: “We are, I think, all unharmed.”
Witness Jamie Budd, who was in the public gallery, said: “We thought he was going to make some sort of statement or tribute but instead he got up and ran to the judge’s bench.
“He ran up the steps and started battering the hell out of the judge.
“He pulled his robes, his wig came off. It was extremely horrific.”
Suffolk police said: “A member of the public in the public gallery assaulted the judge. He has been taken to the cells for contempt of court.”
The drama came after Judge Devaux jailed Philip Graham, 30, from Haverhill, Suffolk for 30 months for causing the death of a motorcycling dad-of-two by dangerous driving.