YOUNGSTERS from across the county turned legal eagles for the day and presented their cases in a mock trial.

Six Oxfordshire schools battled it out at Oxfordshire Magistrates’ Court, with pupils taking the roles of all the participants in a normal trial.

The cases were judged by real magistrates and city lawyers and centred on domestic violence.

The winning team was from Icknield Community College, in Watlington, who received their certificate from the High Sheriff of Oxfordshire Marie-Jane Barnett on Thursday.

Year nine pupil Kyra Bowman, 13, who acted as a defence lawyer, said the team enjoyed their experience.

She said: “We spent a lot of time preparing, but it was actually really scary being up there in the court room.

“The whole event was a lot of fun for us all, so it was a great opportunity to really enjoy something and get something positive out of it.”

The other teams were from St Birinus School, Didcot; Burford School; Wood Green School, Witney; St Gregory’s RC School, Oxford; Oxford Spires Academy, plus Nova Hreod School, from Swindon.

English teacher Michael Cody accompanied the pupils to the court.

He said: “They were a brilliant team because they worked together, and were consistent throughout the process.

“I was extremely proud of all the students and we enjoyed the day immensely.”

Icknield headteacher Richard Hudson paid tribute to the winning team.

He said: “All the students put in an enormous amount of work in preparing for this competition.”

The competition, which was held on March 12, was organised nationally by the Citizenship Foundation and The Magistrates’ Association.

More than 400 schools across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, comprising 6,000 12- to 14-year-olds, took part.