Attorney General to prosecute policeman who threatened to arrest judge

A serving policeman who allegedly threatened to arrest one of Northern Ireland's most senior judges is set to be prosecuted by the Attorney General.
Attorney General John Larkin will take over the case after the ruling by High Court Judge Mr Justice HornerAttorney General John Larkin will take over the case after the ruling by High Court Judge Mr Justice Horner
Attorney General John Larkin will take over the case after the ruling by High Court Judge Mr Justice Horner

Thomas Anthony Carlin was due to go on trial on Monday for contempt of court over his approach to Lord Justice Gillen.

But having listening to a recording of the incident, another High Court judge informed him that the matter has been referred to Attorney General John Larkin QC.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mr Justice Horner advised: “You should carefully consider your own position, especially in light of what will appear on the CD and the consequences that may follow, including imprisonment should you be found guilty of contempt in the face of the court.”

The trial will now take place at a later date.

Mr Carlin’s alleged outburst came at the end of a ruling in a house repossession case in the High Court last week.

The 43-year-old had been representing himself in the legal battle with Santander bank over a property in Co Antrim.

At the end of the hearing he allegedly got up and moved towards the bench, claiming he was going to arrest Lord Justice Gillen.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Security and court staff intervened before he was led from the courtroom.

He was arrested on suspicion of two counts of common assault, but subsequently released without charge.

The Police Ombudsman was also notified.

Mr Carlin is alleged to have interrupted proceedings without justification, refused to resume his seat, approached the presiding judge, threatened to arrest him without lawful excuse and physically interfered with a court tipstaff.

He has rejected the offer of legal representation and, so far, declined to apologise for his actions.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

At a previous hearing he turned up at court in full police uniform.

But dressed in a suit on Monday, he was told by Mr Justice Horner that the seriousness of the case and potential penalty if found guilty “demands this matter be prosecuted independently of the court”.

The judge disclosed: “I have decided to refer the matter to the Attorney General, who I’m confident will deal with it with expedition.”

Mr Carlin, who continued his demands for an alternative trial by jury, is to be given a CD copy of the hearing where he allegedly threatened to arrest Lord Justice Gillen.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He claimed the case against him was “procedurally defective” and questioned how a document setting out his alleged contempt was handed to him.

“How can this come from a person unlawfully at large, who was under arrest?” he asked.

He added: “I want these matters withdrawn.”

But Mr Justice Horner told him: “Please sit down. I have made my position clear.”