Woman repeats havoc at courts with fake gun

A woman who caused chaos by pointing a plastic gun at three Court of Appeal judges on Thursday walked back into the same London courts building yesterday, waving the weapon.

The gun was loaded with plastic pellets and it was believed the weapon was fired as she was tackled by police and court officials. The woman, who has not been named, was immediately detained by security guards as she walked through the security barrier of the Royal Courts of Justice in the Strand in central London.

The woman's first visit to the courts at lunchtime on Thursday prompted a rapid police response, but despite a thorough search, she was not found. Security guards were on high alert yesterday in anticipation of her returning to the courts. Shortly after lunch, she walked through the front entrance, brandishing the gun and shouting: "I want to see a judge."

She is believed to be distraught after losing a custody battle in the family division of the High Court.

A woman named by police as Annarita Muraglia was to appear before Bow Street magistrates today charged with two counts of possessing an imitation firearm.