Dozens of lawyers abruptly flocked out of Bristol Crown Court this afternoon (Wednesday, November 27) after an unexpected interruption to proceedings.
Cases scheduled to be heard today included the trial of grime artist Solo 45, up for rape charges.
But all activity within the iconic Small Street building came to a halt at around 12pm when an alarm rang through the corridors.
A staff member said: “There’s a drill. We can’t say more than that.”
Judges, lawyers, clerks, witnesses, defendants and journalists were among those sent scurrying for the exits.
Around 100 people were left waiting outside. Some took the chance to nip into the coffee shop opposite for a welcome burst of caffeine, while others idly chatted, waiting for the nod that it was safe to return to business.
One barrister said: “If it was a routine one, we wouldn’t all be out here.” He joked: “Perhaps someone couldn’t bear the thought of listening to any more of my submissions.”
It is understood that people began filing back into the building at around 12.30pm.
Apart from the trial of Solo 45 - real name Andy Anokye - the cases being heard today included that of Krystof Solosciuk and Tomasz Urbaniak, who have been charged with murdering Lukasz Grabowski. The jury has yet to give its verdict.
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