Judge John Devaux Has Wig Pulled Off As Man Attacks Him In Ipswich Crown Court

Man 'Batters The Hell Out Of Judge'
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A man is being held in custody after a judge was attacked and his wig pulled off as he sat in court, in what bystanders described as a "horrific" attack.

Suffolk Police were called to Ipswich Crown Court at about 11.30am following the attack on Judge John Devaux by a man sitting in the public gallery in court two.

Judge Devaux returned to court moments later.

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Judge John Devaux, who was attacked in court

Apparently unflustered, he told the court: "I think we're all unharmed," before he continued hearing cases.

The man was initially dealt with by court security guards and held in cells at the court.

A police spokesman said he likely to be transferred to police custody later in the day.

Reports suggest the judge's robes and wig were pulled off. Judge Devaux was sentencing a man for a driving offence at the time.

Jaimie Budd, who was in the public gallery, told the BBC: "He got up and ran to the judge's bench.

"He ran up the steps and started battering the hell out of the judge."

"He pulled his robes, his wig came off. It was extremely horrific."

A spokesman for Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service said: "There was an incident involving a member of the public and a member of the judiciary at Ipswich Crown Court. This is now a police matter."

The incident happened as Judge Devaux sentenced Philip Graham, 30, of Quendon Place, Haverhill, to 30 months in prison for causing death by dangerous driving.

Graham, who was convicted following a trial earlier this year, killed father-of-two Derek Foster, 37, when he hit his motorcycle on the B1054 in July last year.

Paul Graham, brother of Philip Graham, appeared in court this afternoon.

The court heard he had been arrested on suspicion of assault and contempt of court. He has been remanded in custody to appear before a different judge tomorrow morning.