AMBITIOUS pupils from nine Worcestershire schools battled it out in a courtroom for a mock trial competition.

The pupils became prosecutors, magistrates, defendants and journalists for the day during the annual event.

The mock trial competition is run by the Citizen Foundation in partnership with the Magistrates’ Association. The event is designed to help improve young people’s life skills, their understanding of the justice system and the legal system.

After the morning session held at Worcester Magistrates Court on Saturday, everyone attended a prize giving ceremony at Worcester Crown Court.

There were seven prizes up for grabs, including a ‘best court reporter’ prize which was judged by Worcester News reporter Grace Walton. Four pupils took on the challenge to write their own report of the trial.

Speaking about the competition, Grace said: “I was very impressed with the high standard of work achieved from everybody. It was difficult to judge the best court reporter, as all the pupils who took part included all the relevant information needed for a court story. The day required a lot of effort from the pupils, however their attitude showed determination and positivity throughout.”

The event is sponsored by the University of Worcester and the Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion.

Professor Sarah Greer, deputy vice chancellor of Worcester University said: "The University of Worcester is delighted to sponsor this exciting event. I had the pleasure of observing one of the mock trials and the standards of advocacy and professionalism of all of the pupils was really excellent. Some of our Law School students enjoyed helping at the competition and we hope that it will also encourage some of them to consider becoming magistrates."

The nine schools taking part were:

  • Alcester Academy
  • Alcester Grammar School
  • Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College
  • Droitwich Spa High School
  • St John's CE Middle School
  • The Lacon Child School
  • Studley High School
  • Trinity High School
  • Tudor Grange Academy

The winners were:

  • Winning Team - The Lacon Childe School
  • 2nd place team - Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College
  • 3rd place team - Tudor Grange Academy
  • Best Bench of Magistrates - St John's CE Middle School
  • Most Outstanding Pupil - Freddie Hunter (Studley High School)
  • Best Court Artist - Aliah Chahal (Droitwich Spa High School)
  • Best Court Reporter - Lucy Cashmore (St John's CE Middle School)

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