The Bar Mock Trial team from Wilmslow High School won the Manchester heat of the Bar Mock Trial competition at Minshull Street Crown Court on Saturday. 19th November - making it the fourth time in a row the school has got through to the national finals and the 6th time in recent years.
In the first case, Jessie Lloyd (Emily Short) was accused of intimidating a witness in Michaela Ablava's forthcoming burglary trial. Jessie went to visit the witness (Charlotte Kraunsoe). Kenny says Jessie intimidated her; Jessie said Kenny was hysterical. But why was Michaela waiting nearby, while Jessie went to see Kenny? And why did Jessie say "no comment" when she was arrested?
In the second case, Alex Edwards (Scott Walker) was accused of breaking his neighbour, Toni Williams's (Izzie Hargreaves), nose. Toni says she just asked Alex to turn his music down; Alex says he reacted in self-defence, as Toni was about to attack him.
Other witnesses were Mia Connor, Beth Burgess and Lara Oliver, whilst Sophie Kraunsoe charmed the judges as court usher and some students doubled-up as barristers, including Evie Smith and Lauren Phillips who did so at very short notice.
Deborah Roussak, Teacher of Law, said "We were pitched against Great Sankey School in the head-to-head, but our barristers' mantra was 'polite, measured and deadly', and our witnesses had an answer prepared for every conceivable attack.
"The judges (who were all circuit judges) said our performance was of a higher standard than most they saw in real trials at the Crown Court."
