COURTS SMASHED

AN unknown projectile which smashed a window at the Southport Courthouse yesterday could throw the court calendar into chaos for six months, with thousands of dollars wasted after the incident forced the courts to close for the day.

Security staff arrived at the court precinct yesterday morning to find glass strewn on the footpath and inside the entrance.

THE Gold Coast’s court calendar could be thown into chaos for six months after an unknown projectile smashed a window at the Southoprt Courthouse, wasting thousands of dollars and closing the courthouse for the day.

The window (pictured), on the top floor near the judges’ chambers, was above an open lobby and “rained glass” down on to the security console at the entrance.

Security staff arrived at the Southport court precinct about 6.30am yesterday to find glass strewn on the footpath and inside the courthouse entrance.

The incident forced many to wait hours, before the precincts were eventually closed for an entire day amid safety concerns.

Two other windows were left with large cracks.

Southport police officer in charge of operations Senior Sergeant Brendan Wiblen confirmed police were investigating.

“Three windows have marks after being struck by a projectile,” he said.

Sen Sgt Wiblen said police did not know what type of projectile it was but could not rule out a firearm.

He said police at Southport police station did not hear any gunfire over the weekend.

Sen Sgt Wiblen said officers would be reviewing the CCTV.

Moloney MacCallum Abdelshahied Lawyers principal Campbell MacCallum estimated the delay would costs tens of thousands of dollars including court staff time, prosecutors, defendants’ legal fees and police time.

He said one of his clients had spent $7000 briefing a barrister only to have the matter adjourned to an undetermined date.

“One day will send the court calendar into six months of chaos in terms of matters being heard in a just amount of time,” he said.

Gatenbys Criminal Lawyers director Michael Gatenby agreed the costs could go into the tens of thousands.

“What is frustrating is there was a lack of communication to defence lawyers about what was happening,” he said.

It took until about 10am for the court to make an announcement.

Until then, lawyers, defendants, prosecutors and the public were left waiting on the footpath to hear news about when the doors would open.

The only matters heard yesterday were custody matters, domestic violence applications and sentences in the District Court.

Court staff and lawyers were allowed through a side door for those cases.

The Department of Public Prosecution, who are based in the building, and court staff were allowed to work but were not allowed to go near the area where the glass was.

Gold Coast police prosecutions officer-in-charge Senior Sergeant Graham Ruhle said there were safety concerns.

“The window keeps raining glass on top of the security screening area,” he said.

A Department of Justice and Attorney-General spokesman said the glass would be cleaned up overnight and the court would reopen today.

“Adjourned matters will be spread out over a period of time, starting in a fortnight,” he said. The spokesman said the courts had a process to deal with unexpected delays.