It ranks as London's most notorious magistrales court. Dol least because of its cagerness to the remand defendants in custody rather than on bail: for its hostility to legal aid applications: and for the frequency with which punitive decisions are over-ruled by a judee in chambors or overturned by a crown court:
Keporter Lauren Soertz, who sat in Willesden court twice a week for over six months earlier this year when she worked for the Kilburn sires, tound that toe pench was only too happy to leave defen dams in enc cens so taa, In Inc words of the police, 'they could stewitout a hit Soertz and a solicitor protested vigorously when they caught sight know had reverend George, posing well-parned retirement rivo months ago. thatthe National Association for Freedom holds dear.
JES Lord policeevidence.
TOO LENIENT were fartoolenient. Willesden magistrates court, as Dorothy Oakley observed to our informant, is on Grunwick's home ground. Early on in the struggle the strike committee designated the police based at Willesden Green as George Ward's private cops. Willesdes court dispenses justice in a style of a poster of Hitler adorning the wallsofthecount's warrant office Now solicitors ano barristers Involved in Grunwick cases are taking the unprecented step of preparing a circular lester to the Chancellor's office. demanding that action is taken against the Willesden magistrate because of their willingness to accept even readily coatrovertible All the cases arising from the mast pickets of Grunwick were dealt with by Barner magistrates court until a fortnight ago.
Dorothy Oakley's opinion, they to the earlier.
ment. asked.
Routine sentencine al Bombela 120 fines on trumped up obstruct100 CAT AN HEE LOT pay for costs, were evidently not COOT CHOUT TACLE WELLS DO haps, too lew jail sentences, such se the two monte Inded out IG Roger Green for assaull — his first imposed on Socialist Challenge On 14 November, the jusrices of the peace who perch on the Willesden bench began to foam at the beak. This was when they could really begin to sink their claws into the enemies of Georg Ward. The mass picket cases had come to the Metropobian Police's lavourite court; and to celebrate. Dorothy Oakley was brought back bench from her earned retirement two months NOT GUILTY Typical of the Willesden treatwas the case of Socialist Challenge supporter Frederick Deplat. smember ortbe engineer obstructing the highway. Fred who had standing on the pavement beside the Carun rate, was lined a cotal of 150 wit t20 costs and 14 days to pay th LIKE CHISE he is appealing A prosecution counsel employ Chailenge between Grunwick cas es at Willesden last Thursday afternoon that he was well pleased with the way things were going. He hada Llost asingle Grunwick case. Was be surprised, our reporte "Very', he replied, normally lose loes of cases.
He bas good reason to be sariafled. The previous day, 18 pickets had appeared. All were STONED SITNEESUCEESS LAPSES There have been some lap from NAFF-style jostice at Wil den. There were three acquitt on 15 November, for exump when Elityd Harrington - dep Labour Jeader on the Grea London Council sat an Chief Inspec Robert Hay from Willesden Gre police station was furicus. He told Dreal Trades Cour secretary, Jack Dromey, who y representing one of the def alts, thar Harrington shouk emoved from the bench heca he had been present at the pic Harrington's appearance out. Grunwick bad In fact, purely as an abserver. But e that was too much for Wa chock troops, and no doubt as w for Harringron 'scolleagues on They have a curious notion Impartiality, When strike was brought before then or assault charge, her counsel as LOTTIE RSCIDELHEEOUUEDI anpounded they had no intent of dismissing chemselves Desai, who is four foor ten, convicted ch reschie aver a foot six wall and striking a cop Oakley Dench i well familiar with it implies. Willes conditions.
Peter Kandler, of the No UNSETER TCHES BH SHE the early advocates nei bourbood law centres in Brica consolers that the Willesten in scrales have a Custer's-last-st artitude to maintainine dscench in an ares that has ton the largest black commonite Britain He recalls a bail application Immoral earnines charge. cross-examining the police us ground, Kandler turnedtoade bebench whereupon they sti CORNER AMONTACTSEIVESS declared thai bail was refused lo no uncerrain terms, Kan