CASES at Grimsby magistrates were suddenly thrown into chaos yesterday when an embarrassing "mix-up" led to no prosecutor turning up for the main court.
Seven defence solicitors were left twiddling their thumbs after it became apparent that there was nobody to prosecute the cases on the list.
Defence solicitors were left to rue the irony of the fact that they have been repeatedly sternly warned in recent weeks that they must be ready to start court on time.
The lack of a prosecutor meant that a whole series of cases had to be adjourned.
Defence solicitor Nick Furman, who earlier in the week had meekly used the phrase "the A-word" instead of "adjournment", said: "I may be forced unwillingly to apply for several adjournments."
Solicitor Richard Hackfath joked: "By the time we have all stood here for three hours, it will have cost the taxpayer £6.50.
"There are no fat cat lawyers here."
Solicitor Michael Culshaw said defence advocates never turned up to court without a file – and certainly did not fail to turn up at all.
"We are always ready to go," he said. "We are the only efficient link in the system.
"What would happen if we turned up at 12 o'clock? It wouldn't go down very well."
Court legal adviser Zoe Nixon said the mix-up was very unfortunate and that the mistake was clearly not intentional. Questions would, however, be asked about how the blunder happened.
Mr Furman filled in the time by cracking a series of jokes.