A MOCK trial competition has taken place in Cirencester with children from the area prosecuting and defending in a case of online harassment.

The trials were all held in the Bingham Gallery, giving the event a truly authentic feel and included a magistrate presiding over each case and several others judging.

First prize for the trial was taken by Stratton C Of E Primary School with Cold Aston C of E Primary School taking second place.

Best court artist was awarded to Rosie Young of Stratton and best court reporter, judged by the Standard, was awarded to Erin Hindley of Ashton Keynes Church of England Primary School.

The best overall performer was tied between Poppy Ellis of Cold Aston and Saskia Van der Heiden of Southrop C of E Primary School and the first place for a poster of the event went to Hazell Scott of Powell’s C of E Primary School.

Awards for costumes also went to Cerys Giles-Saunders of Powell’s and Stratton took best team costume.

Speaking after the event magistrate and organiser Rennie Thompson said that she was impressed with the standard of the pupils’ performance and thanked all the volunteers who made the day such a success.

She added: “Today has been wonderful. Every time it seems they are so confident and they get out there to perform like professionals.”

“It really is about addressing issues in the PSHE curriculum and the English language curriculum, doing some public speaking and learning about the justice system.”

Denys Young, chairman of the Gloucestershire bench of magistrates, praised the children for their hard work and stressed that the competition was so useful as it involves children who are still forming their ideas about life.

He said: “I truly, truly believe that it stands them in good stead for the future.”