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Crown court closed by garlic

Cases had to be adjourned at Bristol Crown Court after garlic oil was spread on radiators.

The pungent smell of garlic spread through the building after oil was also put in plant pots along the first floor and corridor to the restaurant, reports the Daily Telegraph.

CCTV captured a suspect as he doused the areas with the liquid but it is unclear whether the man was a disgruntled defendant or a member of the public.

Jurors, judges, barristers and defendants were forced outside after they were gassed by the smell which permeated the entire 10-courtroom building.

Senior listing officer Nigel Northeast said: “It was harmless but it has been very disrupting. We have identified the individual from CCTV and police are investigating.”

The smell even made some people gag as they rushed out into fresh air.

One woman, who did not want to be named, said: “It was utterly disgusting, I’ve never experienced anything like it. It made me gag and I can smell it on my clothes and hair.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .