Some might have called it "ruff" justice… A pet dog found itself in court yesterday - after being blamed for causing a car crash. But it was not a case of the "dog in the dock", or being called as a witness.

Some might have called it "ruff" justice…

A pet dog found itself in court yesterday - after being blamed for causing a car crash.

But it was not a case of the "dog in the dock", or being called as a witness.

It was just a matter of mischievous mongrel Mickey being too noisy when chained up outside the building, while his mistress faced the music from magistrates inside.

Defendant Catherine Bennett, 76, told the court she lost control of her car, while reverse-parking in her home town of Sheringham, when her beloved pet leapt on to her lap.

Magistrates heard that she crashed into a parked Vauxhall Vectra and accelerated up some steps, at Beach Road in January - resulting in her Ford Fiesta being so badly damaged that it was written off.

But as the case progressed they also heard constant barking from the canine "co-defendant" which had been tied up outside after magistrates said that he could not come in, as rules only permitted guide dogs to be brought into the court.

Mickey would only quieten down when reunited with his owner. So, with the noise interrupting the court proceedings, the magistrates had a change of heart. They made an except-ion and allowed him in to be next to his mistress - where he entertained himself chewing on a large bone and slurping from a water bowl.

Bennett, of The Close, Sheringham, admitted careless driving. She was fined £60 and given three points on her licence, which when added to her previous nine points means she will be disqualified from driving for six months.

As the pair were leaving court, she said to her companion: "Come on you little devil."