It was the brainchild of Ann McLaughlin JP, Chairman of the Ealing Bench, who wanted to find a way to engage with young Somali people, "who have been one of the hardest ethnic groups to reach”.
The Somali community’s problems with the justice system begin in Somalia, but have far-reaching implications.
"All of us involved in this work have to acknowledge that these young people are coming from a war-torn country,” Ann explains. "The police come and take away fathers in the middle of the night and they’re never seen again; mothers and sisters are raped; houses are torched, all in the interest of civil war.
"So it’s not surprising that their trust in the police and courts of this country is minimal.”
Planning the event
In an attempt to place the justice system in a more positive light, Ann and other Ealing magistrates worked with the Metropolitan Police, local Somali youth workers, the CPS, defence lawyers, Serco, Victim Support and the Youth Offending Service.
The result was Choices, Consequences and the Courts, held in Southall on 24 October 2009. "The aim was to give the young people information about the choices open to them – opportunities for careers, education and involvement in the community – but also to point out that making the ‘wrong’ choice can lead to consequences, which, in many instances, can lead to the courts,” explains Ann.
Mutah Beale - star of the day
The undoubted star of the day was the former rapper Mutah Beale, who grew up against a backdrop of violence, crime and drugs in the United States. At the age of just three he witnessed his parents being murdered – and was shot in the leg himself. Under the name Napoleon, he was part of Tupac Shakur’s rap group Outlawz, selling 40 million records – until Shakur himself was shot dead in 1996.
Despite his millions and mansions, Mutah spent his days getting high on drugs, drinking and wandering the streets of LA with a loaded gun. But he was then encouraged to revert to Islam, and his life turned around. He now tours the world meeting young people and preaching a message of peace. At the Southall event, he spoke powerfully about the hip hop lifestyle, crime, drugs and gangs – and other, more positive choices young people can make.
He believes his message will hit home: "Kids listened to me when my raps told them to go out and murder, now I hope they’ll listen to me when I tell them that a gangster lifestyle will just land them in jail. The best thing they can do is to get an education – there are so many opportunities for kids in trouble here in Britain that don’t exist in the States.”
Other highlights
The police brought the Territorial Support Group with riot gear to demonstrate some of the consequences of crime; Serco demonstrated tagging, and the local Connexions team were on hand to show more positive opportunities.
Other highlights of the day included a mock trial and subsequent Q&A session – with lawyers and court personnel playing themselves, enacting a case with a Somali defendant, and victim, presided over by one ‘real’ magistrate and young Somali wingers, a street poetry competition, with a week’s work experience at a law firm for the winner, and a forum to discuss the challenges faced by the community, with representatives from the police, courts, local youth groups and Mutah himself.
Positive reactions
A Somali TV company sent a crew to cover the event, and Sky News are making a special feature using material recorded with Mutah, the police and magistrates.
About 400 attended the event, to Ann’s delight: "I’m thrilled we were able to mix with so many young people – and just as importantly, to hear their experiences of the justice system here. It was vital to us that they felt they could talk to us, and see us as ‘normal people’ – which is why all the magistrates were dressed down, including chairmen in jeans and trainers!”
Reaction to the day was extremely positive – and included requests for similar events to be run for other ethnic minority groups. Attendees also completed a feedback form which Ann and other organisers will analyse.
Ann paid tribute to all who contributed to the event: "It was a great example of team work, and didn’t only give an opportunity for us to engage with young people, but also to get to know colleagues from other justice agencies. That was a real bonus. But I was certainly ready for a rest at the end of the day!”
