Knife-trial judge pulls out blade in court

A judge stunned a court today when he pulled a blade out of his pocket - while sitting on a knife crime case.

Judge Roger Connor brandished his knife in front of a 16-year-old boy accused of wounding with intent and assault.

The boy, who denies the charges, admits using a folding knife but claims he needed only one hand to open it.

Judge Connor pulled out his blade at Oxford crown court, saying: "I have a folding pocket knife in my pocket. You need two hands to open it don't you?"

John Simmons, for the boy, questioned whether carrying the knife in public was legal but the judge said it was as the blade was less than 3in long.

Lyn Costello, of the Mothers Against Murder and Aggression campaign group, said the judge "should lose his job", adding: "We need to get tough on knives and our judges should be handing out tough sentences - not brandishing their own."

The trial, over the stabbing of two youths in Watlington, Oxfordshire, continues.