A duty solicitor recounted a harrowing experience where he was restrained by “four or five” court security staff, despite his plea that he couldn’t breathe.
Defence solicitor Dele Johnson, speaking with The Law Society Gazette, described how guards pinned him down with their knees after he refused a security search request to remove his shoes.
The incident took place as Johnson was fulfilling his duties in the Youth Court at Stratford Magistrates’ on Wednesday, May 1.
He told the Gazette he thought “for about 30 seconds that I was in danger.”
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Johnson, 37, drew a parallel between his experience and the tragic incident involving George Floyd, whose death at the hands of Minneapolis police ignited the Black Lives Matter movement.
“I never thought I’d also be saying ‘I can’t breathe’,’ said Mr Johnson. ‘I was just trying to do my job.”
The London Criminal Courts Solicitors’ Association has raised concerns, stating that lawyers may boycott the court if the guards allegedly involved in the assault on Johnson are not suspended by the private company OCS.
Johnson’s identification card was checked upon his arrival as a duty youth court solicitor on Wednesday.
Following a brief exit from the building for a cigarette break, he consented to a pat-down search upon his return but refused to remove his shoes, leading to an altercation with four guards who forcibly removed him.
Despite having a defendant awaiting his representation, Johnson attempted to re-enter the building through a side door, only to be intercepted by “four or five” guards.
During the court proceedings, Johnson stated that security personnel had entered the courtroom. He had a feeling that this was probably related to him.
After the court proceedings, Johnson exited the courtroom and engaged in discussions with fellow representatives.
Upon his arrival, he was denied entry by the security personnel.
Johnson said, “One of the security officers blocked me while I tried to go to court number 10.”
These are serious complaints we are urgently investigating as a priority. Our security measures are designed to protect all court users and are under constant review,” he said.
