A judge apologised to jurors for sweltering temperatures.

While the rest of Oxford enjoyed leaden skies and an easy breeze yesterday, temperatures in at least two courtrooms, jury rooms and judges’ chambers – where the radiators appeared to still be operational.

Judge Ian Pringle QC, who as resident judge at Oxford Crown Court has the honorary title of Recorder of Oxford, told his jury in courtroom two on Monday: “I will try to do something about the temperature in this court. It is a little hot.”

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The jury, who were sat underneath a long-standing temporary plastic sheet-and-tube contraption designed to catch any rainwater dripping from the leaking roof, were told of the temperature problem: “It is in hand. I am doing whatever I can.”

Mild frustration about the temperatures boiled over in courtroom three. Sending his jury home for the day at 4.30pm, Judge Nigel Daly said: “I don’t know what it’s like in your room, but it’s boiling in my room. It’s much hotter than it is in here.”

In March, the Oxford Mail reported the apology of another circuit judge at the St Aldates’ courthouse, who explained to jurors that the mercury had climbed to 80 degrees Fahrenheit or 26 degrees centigrade in his courtroom.

Judge Michael Gledhill QC joked: “I usually say it is the fault of the barristers because they are the cause of the hot air.”

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This story was written by Tom Seaward. He joined the team in 2021 as Oxfordshire's court and crime reporter.  

To get in touch with him email: Tom.Seaward@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @t_seaward