By, JC Reporter
2 min read
ByJC Reporter, JC Reporter
An "irate" Labour peer stormed out of court to meet the Governor of the Bank of England before he was able to give evidence against a teen accused of trying to mug him.
Lord Glasman, Labour's former "Blue Guru", dashed out of the building in order to make the "important" meeting with governor Mark Carney.
The lord, who is Jewish, gave up after waiting up to two hours in Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court, where he was the main prosecution witness, while JPs heard another case today.
The 55-year-old academic and founder of the Blue Labour school of thought was mobbed by two youths on bikes who tried to steal his briefcase, the court heard.
Sena Frimpong, for the prosecution, said: "Lord Glasman has an important meeting and has left the court.
"He said he can't keep the Governor of the Bank of England and other members of the cabinet waiting for this meeting.
"He has to be there and has left.
"He was irate. He was talking to me rather bluntly and walked out.
"He said we have kept him for an hour and a half here when he's got an important meeting with the governor.
"I did try and explain, but he was having none of it.
"He found out about his meeting late last night. That's why he didn't have the opportunity to inform the CPS."
The 14-year-old boy is alleged to have tried to steel the briefcase of the Labour life peer, who was elevated to the Lords by Ed Miliband.
He is said to have acted with a 15-year-old accomplice in Stoke Newington Church Street, Stoke Newington, north east London, at 11.30am on June 15.
The 15-year-old has already admitted attempted robbery but the younger boy is to be tried accused of being in joint enterprise.
Mr Frimpong said Lord Glasman had "alighted the 149 bus near Stoke Newington Church Street and was walking away towards Nando's.
"Whilst walking he was approached by two minors. One attempted to pull his briefcase from his hand.
"There is a short struggle, about five to 10 seconds, Lord Glasman focused on holding his bag."
The youths - one on a red bike and the other on a silver bike - were later arrested.
Mr Frimpong added: "Both had their faces covered at the time."
Volunteers from Jewish neighborhood watch team Shomrim witnessed the attempted mugging, just metres from the peer's home, and chased the two teenagers.
The pair were detained on Stoke Newington Church Street until Metropolitan Police officers arrived.
Both the defence and the prosecution were to rely on Lord Glasman's evidence so magistrates adjourned the hearing until August 9.
Magistrates refused him bail and the boy was remanded in to care of the local authority.
Chairing Magistrate Jennifer Shrewry said: "We fear that if we didn't you might commit some other offences and that's based on your offending history."
He is on an electrically-monitored curfew between 7pm-7am and cannot enter the borough of Haringey.
The 15-year-old boy pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and was sentenced to three months curfew with a tag.
But the younger boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, denied his involvement and was set to go on trial.
The teenager, of Islington, north London, denied one count of attempted robbery in Stoke Newington Church Street.
He claims to have been there but denies snatching the briefcase.
He did, however, admit breaching five court orders.
He appeared in court wearing a matching blue Adidas tracksuit and was supported by his mother.
Lord Glasman is a senior lecturer in political theory at the London Metropolitan University.
He coined the phrase "Blue Labour", which he defined as a small-c conservative form of socialism.
Maurice Glasman was made Baron Glasman, of Stoke Newington and of Stamford Hill, and introduced to the House of Lords in 2011.
He was seen as a close adviser to Mr Miliband while he was Labour leader.