Student Adam Zoubir ‘pretended to be barrister in court’

Nov 17 2009 By Andrew Hirst

A BIRKBY man has admitted trying to pass himself off as a London-based barrister during proceedings at Calderdale Magistrates Court.

Leeds University student Adam Zoubir, 32, of Arnold Street, had been due to stand trial at Bradford Crown Court yesterday in what a judge described as ‘a highly unusual case’, but before a jury was sworn in he pleaded guilty to the charge against him.

Zoubir admitted attempting to do an act in purported exercise of a right of audience under the Criminal Attempts Act 1981.

The charge alleged that on February 17 this year at Calderdale Magistrates Court Zoubir attempted to exercise a right to perform any of the functions of appearing before and addressing a court, including the calling and examining of witnesses.

At an earlier court hearing it was revealed how smartly-dressed Zoubir introduced himself to staff at the magistrates court as a barrister with chambers in London.