YOUNGSTERS felt the heat in the high pressure crucible of the courtroom during a mock trial competition.

Whether they were acting as magistrates with the fate of the accused in their hands, defendants, witnesses, crown prosecutors giving a tough cross-examination or lawyers giving an impassioned defence of their client, all gained valuable experience of life in court during the competition at Worcester Magistrates Court.

Around 200 students, aged between 12 and 14 years old, battled it out in the 20th annual Schools' Mock Trial Competition.

Chris Eno, a teacher at Aston Fields Middle School in Drummond Road, said the mock trial was a confidence builder for many pupils and allowed them to show themselves in a different light.

He said: "Someone will shock you and surprise you and come out of their shell. It is a tough, intense situation. It has always been my favourite enrichment activity."

The day gave pupils the chance to see the court through the eyes of an usher, a little understood role but one that is vital to the smooth and efficient running of any court.

Youngsters also tried their hand at being a journalist with some pupils compiling their own news reports of the trial complete with their own headlines to meet a tight deadline.

The winner of this category, Sienna Ambler from Stroud High School, was selected by the Advertiser's sister paper the Worcester News' chief reporter James Connell.

In this year's case the defendant stood accused of dishonestly receiving a stolen mobile phone.

The competition, run by the Citizen Foundation is partnership with the Magistrates' Association, enables students to learn about all aspects of the criminal justice system and to develop confidence in personal skills such as public speaking, analysis techniques and team working.

His honour judge Daniel Pearce-Higgins QC presented the awards to the winning teams and runners up.