Courtroom security measures investigated

The Ministry of Justice is investigating courtroom security nationwide following an attack on a Nelson District Court Judge earlier this year.

The Nelson court recently erected a glass partition covering the length of the dock after butcher Jacob Donald Matheson, 24, jumped over the railing of the courtroom dock on May 9 and punched Judge Geoffrey Ellis.

Ministry technical and judicial security director Ivan Ravlich said while there were no further plans for partitions to go up in other courthouses, they were currently reviewing designs for improved security in courtrooms throughout the country.

Attacks on judges during court sessions are rare in New Zealand with the last serious incident happening in 1990 where Dame Augusta Wallace was attacked by a 16-year-old youth who lunged at her and slashed her face open with a machete in Otahuhu Youth Court in south Auckland.

Mr Ravlich said while the partition in Nelson went "some way" to improving security, processes were also important and the ministry was working with the police to ensure adequate protection in the court environment.

Matheson, who has admitted charges relating to the assault on Judge Ellis, is to be sentenced on Monday.

- NZPA