A court hearing about a noisy cockerel was cut short after descending into chaos.

A spectator in the public gallery began arguing with the court clerk and magistrates in the hearing for Harold Brown, accused of failing to stop the cockerel from crowing.

The man wanted to represent Brown, of Friars Croft in Calmore - but was told by the court clerk he does not have the ‘legal powers’ and was instructed to sit at the back of the room.

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Harold BrownHarold Brown (Image: Newsquest)

He then proceeded to interrupt the chair of magistrates’ Andrew Sherman by shouting “you have no authority unless you give your name” and insisting he could represent Brown.

Brown also told the court he wanted the case dismissed and said: “This is perjury, there is no justice.”

Mr Sherman was then repeatedly interrupted by two members of the public gallery, which included the man who wanted to defend Brown.

The bench decided to retire as a result and two members of security staff were brought into the courtroom.

Upon returning, Mr Sherman said to the wannabe lawyer: “I will ask you to be removed if you are not silent. This is a matter we can take forward at the trial.

“There needs to be a trial and the matters the defendant has raised will be dealt with then.”

Brown was served an abatement notice by New Forest District Council on December 12, 2022 to prevent the recurrence of the cockerel crowing.

But he has now been charged with one count of failing to comply with the notice.

Brown refused to provide the court with his date of birth before entering no plea.

This was documented as ‘not guilty’ by the court and adjourned for a trial on November 18.