INTRIGUED visitors were given the chance to be handcuffed and placed in the cells as they looked at life behind the scenes at Basildon Crown Court during a special open day.

Judges, magistrates, law-yers, police officers and court, prison and probation staff gave up their time to give the public a behind-the-scenes tour of the crown court.

Six mock crown court and three magistrates' court hearings were acted out and visitors could talk to people about all aspects of the criminal justice system.

About 500 people poured through the doors for the free event.

The court staged mock sentencings and gave tours which included a look around court cells and prisoner escort services, including a claustrophobic prison escort van, which holds 14 tiny mobile cells. People also got to a see a prison cell, had a chance to try prison food and wear handcuffs.

Jodie Barrett, 20, from The Upway, Basildon, is a law student and went along to speak to people on the stands.

But she said the mock hearings and tour of the building were the most interesting.

She said: "We got a tour of the whole building and it was interesting to see the actual court room, cells and even the food prisoners eat and suits they sometimes wear. The Securicor van had tiny cells, which you wouldn't want to sit in for even five minutes.

"I think it would be enough to put people off committing any crimes."

Valerie Goodchild, communications manager of Essex Criminal Justice Board, said: "We aimed to open up the criminal justice system to those who would like to learn more about how the courts operate.

"Most people seemed to thoroughly enjoy getting behind the scenes.

"One of the most popular attractions was a prison drug dog demonstration of how a black labrador sniffs out drugs."

The open day was jointly hosted by Essex Criminal Justice Board and staff from Her Majesty's Court Service at Basildon.

Five of the judges who regularly sit at Basildon took part, including Judge Philip Clegg who has been at the court since it opened in January 1996.