When judges are in the news, it is normally because of some judicial pronouncement that has failed to find favour in certain quarters. So Obiter was stunned last week to learn of two judges thrust into the limelight because of a rather more animated set of events in the courtroom.

The first involved Judge Michael Peake, who had to be rescued from the clutches of a mob who had stormed his Merseyside courtroom. Around 600 protesters from the anti-establishment British Constitution Group assembled outside Birkenhead County Court in support of one of their members, who was challenging a council tax bill. They burst into the courtroom, and attempted to make a ‘citizen’s arrest’ on Peake. One protester shouted ‘seal the court’, while another sat in the judge’s chair and declared the defendant should be released.

A second, similarly dramatic incident was recounted at the Old Bailey last week, relating to events at Woolwich Crown Court last year. When offender Paul Reid tried to flee after giving evidence during his trial, Judge Douglas Marks Moore wrestled him to the ground.

Prosecutor Rupert Gregory told the Old Bailey: ‘One thing stood between Paul Reid and freedom – the judge trying his case.’ Gregory said the judge was leaving the courtroom when the defendant jumped up and ran across the clerk's bench to get to the judge's door. ‘As he went through the door, His Honour Judge Marks Moore grabbed him round the throat to try to bring him down. Together they went down three steps and then Reid broke free and ran down the judge's corridor,’ said Gregory. The judge gave chase and tackled Reid around the throat and waist, bringing him to the ground and holding him there until prison officers returned him to custody. Obiter wonders whether the Judicial Appointments Commission considers the wrestling abilities of judicial candidates when recommending appointments. If not, perhaps it should.