Officer declines to apologise in '˜judge arrest' case

At the Royal Courts of Justice in Belfast on Thursday, Thomas Anthony Carlin, 43, declined to apologise for his actions at an earlier hearing.

He asked to have a jury decide on his case, but Mr Justice Horner said: “I will hear it, there will not be a jury.”

He warned he could face jail if found guilty.

Mr Carlin’s alleged outburst came at the end of a ruling in a repossession case in the High Court on Tuesday, when he had been representing himself in a legal battle over a Co Antrim property.

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

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

He 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 had been given until Thursday to secure a lawyer, apologise and provide an explanation for his behaviour.

He said: “I believe for me to apologise to the court would be abandoning my defence.”

The offer of legal help was turned down.

Mr Carlin said he had believed a crime had been committed, and that the staff who intervened “obstructed me in the execution of my duty”.

At one stage Mr Justice Horner asked if he denied the alleged behaviour set out in writing. He replied: “I completely dispute those facts.”

He was told to turn up on Monday for trial.