A PACKED courtroom watched in horror yesterday as a defendant pulled out a razor blade and began slashing himself as he gave evidence.

Robert Smith, 44, who is facing charges of burglary, had been defending himself during his trial at Newcastle Crown Court.

The father-of-six rolled up his sleeves and, while the jury looked on in disbelief, produced a razor blade hidden beneath a sticking plaster on his arm. He then started to slash his arms, shouting "I've been set up."

Mr Smith, from West Denton, Newcastle, was taken to hospital by ambulance and treated for his injuries, which are not considered to be life threatening.

Robert Woodcock, prosecuting, was in court while Mr Smith slashed at himself.

He said: "He was standing in the court in short sleeves and lifted his right shirt sleeve with his left arm, produced the razor and dragged it down his arm twice causing two long and obvious lacerations.

"It was like a scene from Othello - he made this great speech and then produced a knife from nowhere and stabbed himself with it.

"The judge was visibly frightened and shaken, and so must have been the jury.

"Two Group Four security guards pounced on him and restrained him with the assistance of Detective Constable Tony Gallagher, the officer involved in the case.

"He did struggle and swear but was soon back behind the dock and taken off to hospital."

After a short adjournment, Judge Judith Moir decided to wait until Mr Smith received treatment before deciding how the case will proceed.

Afterwards, a member of Mr Smith's family said: "He is determined to prove he has been set up and said he would try anything to stop the trial."

l A second casualty was taken to hospital from Newcastle Crown Court yesterday. Keith Miller, from Gateshead, collapsed in the men's toilets before his plea and directions hearing in the next court and was taken to hospital by ambulance