Twenty students from the College’s A Level Law and BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Law courses were given an insight into the legal profession on 25 September when they participated in a mock trial at the Royal Courts of Justice. Based on a real trial heard in Northamptonshire in 1931, the case involved a travelling salesman who was charged with murdering a tramp and burning the body in his car to fake his own death.

The students each played a part in the trial, with special mention going to Melinda Baptiste (prosecution barrister), Diane Trott (defence barrister) and Cassius Crick (clerk/prosecution solicitor). In the event, the ‘jury’ reached the same ‘guilty’ verdict as in the original trial, although today the defendant would be spared the death penalty that was originally handed down!

Law teacher Blessed Mereki commented on how successful the trip was, saying, ‘The students all really enjoyed the experience, and the facilitator was very impressed with their performance.’