TV presenter Carol Barnes started her new job as a Brighton magistrate yesterday.

Carol, a former ITN newscaster who is now a presenter on Sky and ITN digital channels, found herself a world away from the glamorous life of broadcasting when she walked into Court 6, a gloomy room at the back of the law courts in Edward Street.

There were no lights, cameras or deadlines. Instead, the afternoon sitting was delayed as defence solicitors needed more time to advise their clients.

Carol, who was sitting on the bench with two experienced colleagues, had to retire to a waiting room.

After a 20-minute wait, the magistrates returned and Carol started to hear her first case since she applied to be a magistrate and completed her training.

She does not get paid for her work at the court.

A London man appeared charged with disorderly behaviour in Brighton town centre, following a fracas. The court heard the 34-year-old man was swearing at the police and threatened another man.

He denied the offence and a trial had been due to go ahead. But Carol, who lives in Brighton, and the other magistrates heard the prosecution had agreed to drop the charge if the defendant agreed to be bound over to keep the peace.

He was bound over in the sum of £50 for six months and the charge against him was dismissed.

Afterwards, the defendant seemed uninterested that a famous person was hearing his case. He said: "I never even noticed her."