And when the verdict came in Brighouse High School were winners of the contest at Calderdale Magistrates Court.

They beat Rastrick High School, Ryburn Valley High School and Calder High School to go through to the regional finals in Leeds.

The pupils tested their knowledge of the criminal justice system by becoming solicitors, magistrates, witnesses, defendants, legal advisers and ushers for the fictional case.

Their skills were judged by Chief Supt Ian Levitt, of West Yorkshire Police, two local solicitors, a barrister and justices' clerk for West Yorkshire, Peter Sherlock.

As well as picking the winning school, they also gave individual prizes.

Awards and certificates were handed out by Judge Peter Benson.

Calderdale magistrate Susan Procter organised the competition, which is run by the Citizenship Foundation and the Magistrates' Association.

"It was a wonderfully enjoyable day and we saw some great performances. I think some of them are budding actors never mind lawyers," she said.

Brighouse High School law teacher David Bell, who prepared the children along with Howard Gilmour, said: "It is a fantastic reward for the effort the students have put in.

"We could have spent two years in a classroom but they would not have learned as much as they did by doing it themselves."

It has already inspired 14-year-old Fay Jagger, who bagged the best prosecution lawyer prize, to plan a legal career.

"We were all a bit nervous before but then you got into it and forgot your nerves. I want to be a prosecution lawyer because I think it would be very interesting. I want to do law at AS Level when I get into sixth form."

Winners

• Best bench, Calder High – Ella McNulty, and Hannah and Joshua Hope-Collins


• Best prosecution lawyers, Fay Jagger and Naomi Fuller


• Best defence lawyers, Stephen Brimble and David Tooby


• Best legal adviser Rowan Simpson


• Best defendant, James Lumb


• Best witness for the defence, Rachel Seely


• Best witness for the prosecution, Olivia Bates


• Best usher, Savannah Kelly