Judge ‘mugged by champagne burglar who asked for a kiss’
A HIGH COURT judge was mugged by a thief wielding a champagne bottle who then demanded a kiss goodbye, a court has heard.
Terry Brown, 45, is said to have confronted Sir Robin Knowles QC, 57, in a narrow alleyway on Middle Temple Lane and demanded he hand over his wallet on Sept 27 last year.
Prosecutor Michael Williams said Mr Brown had first targeted the Lamb legal chambers building after a door was left open to let people come and go for a legal function. When confronted by a lawyer he said he was the cleaner.
The lawyer did not believe him and Mr Brown then changed his story to say he was looking for a job as a cleaner before taking a bottle of champagne and leaving, Mr Williams said.
He was later captured on CCTV using the bottle to threaten Sir Robin, telling him, “give me your wallet”, Inner London Crown Court was told. After handing Sir Robin his wallet back minus the cash inside, he appeared to lean in for a kiss.
Later the judge had to help Mr Brown leave through a gate as he struggled to press a button to exit.
Mr Brown, of no fixed address, was not in court to plead on robbery and burglary charges. Not guilty pleas were entered for him. The trial continues.