'Dome Raiders' case judge 'admitted dozing off'

The presiding judge in the “Dome Raiders” trial at the Old Bailey two years ago admitted dozing off during counsel’s final speeches, but denied “snoring audibly”, the Court of Appeal heard today.

“Everyone can be forgiven for momentary lapses of concentration, but it is another matter if there is sleepfulness accompanied by noises associated with sleep, drawing attention to the person who is asleep and deflecting the jury’s attention,” said defence counsel Edmund Romilly.