Witnesses describe courtroom terror

The incident happened at Slough Magistrates Court

Eyewitnesses have been describing terror they felt when masked gunmen burst into a courtroom and freed two prisoners.

Drama in the commuter belt is usually reserved for late-running trains and snarled traffic, not gunshots and a getaway car.

Richard Wareham said he cowered in fear in the waiting room as men brandishing guns rushed through the front entrance.

"It was all over in a matter of seconds," he said. "I had heard the gunfire go off, there was shouting and then two prisoners ran out followed by the others.

The gunmen, clad in balaclavas, fired shots into the air as stunned court officials looked on.

'Ducked for cover'

Eyewitness Majinda Singh, 21, said he dived for cover when the shot was fired.

"It was absolute madness. It was like a scene from a film," he said.

"Me and my mate ducked for cover but I don't think anyone was injured."

There was total panic for other defendants and their relatives waiting outside court number one.

"I was in such a state of shock because of the guns I didn't pay any attention to the direction they headed in. They were in and out in seconds," said Mr Wareham.

Within minutes the court was crawling with police officers.

Harrowing incident

For the court staff, it was a harrowing incident.

"One police officer may have been hit with a gun butt, but thankfully no one else in the building, whether they be staff, magistrates, other court users or members of the public was injured," said Bill Miles, justices' clerk to East Berkshire Magistrates Court.

"Most of my staff were actually unaware of this incident because they were working in offices on the ground and first floors. But for those actually involved in the incident it caused clear feelings of shock."

Staff had been sent home for the day and would be offered all necessary support to help them cope with the ordeal.

The raid has prompted an immediate review of security.