Magistrate ejects public after phone rings in court

City Magistrate Ann McLennan yesterday ordered the public out of her courtroom after a phone rang during an ongoing session and the owner refused to identify himself.

After the cellphone began ringing, Magistrate McLennan immediately directed the court orderly to seize the device.

Once a cellphone belonging to members of the public ring in court, the magistrate usually orders that the device be seized until the court is adjourned for the day.

Section 64 (1) of Cap 3:05 of the Summary Jurisdiction (Magistrates) Act provides that, “Every-one who willfully insults a magistrate, or is guilty of any other grave misconduct during the hearing of any cause or matter, whether civil or criminal, may, on a verbal order of the magistrate, be remov-ed, by force if necessary, from the court,