Rapist hurls chair from Old Bailey dock

New security measures were breached at the Old Bailey today when a rapist hurled a chair over reinforced screens - narrowly missing his lawyer's head.

Stephen Gosling, 32, who had just been convicted of the double rape of a tourist, launched the attack after Judge Gerald Gordon ordered that a psychiatric report be made on him.

Gosling's lawyer, John Coffey QC, said he had "strict instructions" from his client not to ask for any reports. When the judge said he still wanted a psychiatric report before sentencing, Gosling picked up the chair and hurled it over the screen into the well of the court.

It skimmed over the head of his young female lawyer, who was later in tears outside "It certainly reinforces my view that a psychiatric report should be before the court," said Judge Gordon.

The 6ft screens were installed 18 months ago after another prisoner vaulted over the dock and punched a judge repeatedly in the face.

Sentencing was adjourned for six weeks.