Court staff accused of siding with criminals to avoid press

COURT security guards have been accused of giving preferential treatment to criminals after a man who admitted taking an upskirt photo of a woman was allowed to leave the building through a secret exit.

Neil Abbott, 32, darted back inside Westminster magistrates’ court when he emerged from the building and saw members of the press standing outside the main entrance waiting to take his picture.

Staff with security firm Mitie said special measures were only allowed in rare circumstances, such as when a vulnerable witness was concerned about facing a suspect in court, and that any agreement had to be made beforehand.

But it transpired another security guard allowed Abbott to leave the building through a staff-only side door, which he said followed a request from the defendant concerned about “the press outside”.

Latest guidance from HM Courts and Tribunal Service says security “should only allow defendants to use a side entrance if you have been specifically advised to, on security grounds, by the police or the judge”.

Ian Murray, executive director at the Society of Editors, said it was unacceptable that court staff should show favouritism to anyone attending court by providing them with a private exit, especially when they had been found guilty of serious crimes.

He said: “Far too often it seems court staff are siding with those accused of or

‘It is alarming that someone who took appalling photos is shielded from having their own photograph taken’

who are guilty of crimes, enabling them to avoid publicity by using entrances to court buildings that should not be available to the public.

“In this case, it is even more alarming given the nature of the crime committed, if not ironic, that someone guilty of taking the most appalling photograph is then shielded from having their own photograph taken.

“I wonder what his victim thinks,” he added.