Judge allegedly falls asleep during child rape trial

Judicial watchdog launches inquiry into claims Philip Cattan fell asleep while alleged victim was giving evidence in Manchester

An investigation has been launched following claims a judge fell asleep in court, causing a child rape trial to be halted.

The Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO) confirmed it was looking into the allegation against Recorder Philip Cattan, who was presiding over a trial at Manchester crown court.

The complaint is that Cattan fell asleep as a young alleged victim was giving evidence via videolink in the trial of John Quigley. The judge stopped the trial following the allegation and it will now be relisted.

Cattan sits in Manchester as a recorder, which is a part-time judge. The JCIO said he would not be commenting on the allegation.

Judge Gabriel Hutton was disciplined in 2002 after he fell asleep during a rape trial at Gloucester crown court, causing it to be abandoned.