This week's prize for judicial wisdom goes to District Judge Barney McElholm at Derry Magistrates Court.

A 36-year-old man was up before the judge this week, charged with pretending to be a solicitor over a three year period. McElholm adjourned the case until 20th November but announced that he was mystified. "On occasion I've pretended not to be a solicitor. Why anyone would pretend to be one is beyond me."

    Class.

McElholm has some superb form. In 2012 he sent four men down to the cells for nearly two hours after they laughed when a phone went off in his court. Later that year he said he was minded to refuse bail to a young man who was charged with assaulting a police officer. The defendant shouted "that's a f*cking joke", refused to apologise, so McElholm sent him down for 14 days for contempt. And when the defendant added "go f*ck yourself; get a wig you baldy c*nt" McElholm simply increased it to 28 days.
 
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