GUILTY of enjoying court event

Four schools battled it out to be crowned Dorset heat winners of the annual magistrates' court mock trials competition on Saturday 14 March 2009.

Over fifty children competed in the competition at Poole magistrates' courts from Bournemouth School for Girls, Lytchett Minster, Highcliffe and Portchester schools.

Lytchett Minster School, competing in the event for the first time, won the competition and will represent Dorset at the regional final in Southampton in May. Bournemouth School for Girls was Dorset heat runners up.

After Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of Dorset Mrs Valerie Pitt-Rivers announced the winning school, Lytchett Minster School teacher Georgina Bishop said: "Each and every one of the team have worked extremely hard for this and I am very proud of all of them.

"This is the school's first time in the competition, so we are all delighted to have won today and we are all looking forward to the next round."
During the competition the school pupils, aged 12-14 years old, competed in teams of thirteen taking turns to prosecute and defend cases in real courtrooms.

The pupils adopted the roles of lawyers, witnesses, magistrates, legal advisors, defendants and ushers to act out the drama of a carefully constructed criminal case.

Dorset magistrate Graham Cole organised the event. He said: "This was a great opportunity for young people to learn about the legal system in an interesting, exciting and challenging way.

"In taking on the roles of lawyers, magistrates and court staff these school children have gained a valuable insight into what it is like to work in a courtroom environment."

If Lytchett Minster School are successful in the regional final, they will go on to compete in the national final which takes place on 20 June 2009 in Manchester.

Approximately 4,500 pupils from around 350 schools take part in the mock trial competition throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland.