Sparks fly in court

PRISONERS held at Oldham Magistrates’ Court had to be transferred to Tameside following a power cut.

Court staff were left trapped in the building after a fault in an underground cable.

Lights flickered in some rooms, while others were plunged into darkness and automatic front doors locked.

A back-up generator kicked in and prevented trials being cancelled in the main courtrooms. but court staff, solicitors and defendants were trapped.

One member of staff said: “There wasn’t many people here as it was the afternoon, but we had to take them all out of the side doors to let them out. It was a bit of a drama.”

The incident happened on Wednesday but the problem resurfaced at 7.27am yesterday when power to the building remained temperamental with lights going on and off sporadically.

As the cells were out of use, a prosecutor, legal advisor, clerk and magistrates were all sent to Tameside Magistrates’ Court in Ashton while workmen were called.