Dele Johnson, a duty solicitor at Stratford Magistrates’ Youth Court, described a distressing encounter where ‘four or five’ court security staff pinned him down despite his plea that he couldn’t breathe. The incident unfolded during routine security checks on May 1st, leaving Johnson feeling endangered for about 30 seconds.
Johnson’s ordeal began when he returned from a cigarette break and was subjected to additional screening, leading to a disagreement with security personnel and his forcible removal from the premises. Despite his attempts to explain and re-enter the court, he faced resistance and was ultimately restrained by the guards.
As Johnson tried to regain entry to the court, security personnel physically blocked him, escalating into a struggle that left him feeling like he was fighting for his life against multiple individuals. Only with the intervention of police and court staff did the altercation come to an end.
The incident has raised serious concerns about the treatment of court attendees, prompting investigations by the Metropolitan Police and HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS). The Law Society has also expressed alarm over the reported pattern of behaviour at Stratford, seeking assurances regarding the safety of its members in court premises.
It’s alarming to hear about someone in a position of authority being treated like that. I hope investigations shed light on what happened and ensure it doesn’t happen again. Has anyone else experienced something similar at a court or public facility?