PUPILS from five secondary schools have been given a first-hand look at the inner workings of Waltham Forest Magistrates' Court.

Highams Park, George Mitchell, Norlington, Kelmscott and Tom Hood Schools each sent five students to take part in three scenarios at the court on June 4.

Students participated in mock-ups of a burglary trial, offensive weapon sentencing and an application for bail on a robbery charge.

They were given the chance to play the roles of prosecutors, defence lawyers, defendants, legal advisers, ushers and Youth Offending Team officers.

They also played the parts of magistrates, with a real magistrate acting as chair.

Naj Khasru, a legal adviser at the court, said: “The children were simply given the scenarios and they all developed and created their own parts.

“All the children worked hard and performed each role extremely well.”

The Mayor of Waltham Forest also presented participating pupils with certificates on behalf of Her Majesty’s Court Service.

The event was organised by Waltham Forest Magistrates’ Court in association the council, the police, the Crown Prosecution Service, the Youth Offending Team and the Probation service.