A JUDGE was barracked and labelled a misogynist, a heckler forcibly ejected from court and heads went under the axe at Canterbury Crown Court at the weekend.

The "trouble-makers" were members of the judiciary who were taking a lively part in the court centre's first open day.

Following examples at centres elsewhere in the country, courts manager Ron Moore decided Canterbury should go on display and the effort attracted just under 600 visitors and raised funds for Kent Air Ambulance.

By opening time at 10am people were queuing at the door and during the day were shown mock trials, displays from organisations such as Kent Police, the prison service, Kent Probation Service and the CPS and mock trials.

The opening trial was a assault case which was very much a family affair for two of Kent's circuit judges when Judge Adele Williams presided over the trial of Henry James played by her son David, accused of assaulting Charles Dickens played by husband Andrew Patience, currently resident judge at Maidstone Crown Court.

Court number six was packed for the hour long hearing at the end of which, despite heckling and other interruptions, the defendant was acquitted.

Another personality to go on trial was Marilyn Monroe with court usher Linda North complete with blonde wig in the starring role.

But she failed to convince two juries of her innocence and in the morning was sentenced to nine years and collected a further 15 years in the afternoon.

Other roles in the trials were taken by law students from Kent University.

The county court side was also on display with the public seeing mock family court hearings, something usually held in chambers.

Drugs searches by prison service sniffer dogs of courtrooms and members of the public were also popular.

During the day groups were given a guided tour of the building showing them areas not usually open to the public such as the jury rooms and the cell area. These proved so popular, an extra tour had to be laid on late in the afternoon.

The day was started with an opening address by Canterbury MP Julian Brazier

"We had a comments book and all the remarks were very positive," said Mr Moore. "I consider we did very well and are considering making it an annual event."

Added attractions were stocks and a chopping block complete with axeman by the entrance door and visitors could have their photos taken in the cells, all to contribute to about £500 raised for the Air Ambulance.

There were opportunities to have a photo taken sitting in a judge's chair but two young lads preferred their pictures taken in the dock.