Plumbing problems led to Maidstone Crown Court closing early

by Keith Hunt

Justice dried up at Maidstone Crown Court today when the building closed because of a plumbing problem.

Acting Senior Judge Charles Macdonald took the decision to suspend all cases until Monday after being informed there was no water at the court in Barker Road.

A spokesman said the problem was caused by a sensor malfunction on the water tank and had nothing to do with a new heating system being installed.

Judge Michael Carroll appeared in court briefly to tell lawyers: "A general edict has gone out that every court in the building is suspended because of the state of the plumbing.

"I was going to consider whether it would be right for my jury to go into retirement with a lack of facilities, but that decision has been taken for me."

The judge told jurors: "I understand you had difficulties yesterday with the lack of full plumbing services in your retirement room. The situation has got no better this morning.

"You won’t be required to deliberate further today. It is unfortunate because there was a risk the case might trickle into Monday. We have made very good progress, but these things happen."

Judge Carroll joked: "The only water that seems to be flowing into the building is an overflow onto my car in the car park."