prison.

Petty thief Vance Ratteray learned this yesterday after he appeared in Magistrates' Court for threatening Magistrate Edward King three weeks ago.

"I see threatening a magistrate while he is on the bench as very serious,'' Senior Magistrate Will Francis told Ratteray.

Ratteray, 41, of Cottage Hill Road, pleaded guilty to threatening Magistrate Edward King on September 16 and destroying a Government computer monitor.

He was sentenced to two concurrent six-month prison terms for the outburst.

His lawyer, Patricia Harvey-Burch, had pleaded against a prison sentence.

Jail for threatening magistrate She asked Mr. Francis to take into account the fact that Ratteray was not a violent man, but one simply frustrated at being in court in a "revolving door''.

But Mr. Francis noted Ratteray's extensive record going back to 1977 and the fact he had to be restrained by two Police officers when he lunged at Mr.

King.

Ratteray lunged at Mr. King after being told he would be remanded in prison until his trial after missing three previous court dates.

Mrs. Harvey-Burch said just minutes before the outburst another man, having missed five scheduled court appearances, was released on bail by Mr. King.

"My client is quite repentant for his actions,'' she said. "He was frustrated. He was concerned with the disparity.'' "He was finally actively employed after lengthy difficulties and was just back on a firm footing,'' she added. "He didn't intend to carry out an attack. It was a hot headed moment.'' Mr. Francis had heard Ratteray had been brought to the morning plea court session after failing to appear at the previous day's scheduled trial.

Police prosecutor Insp. Peter Giles said when he was told he would be remanded, Ratteray complained Mr. King was always jailing him, left the defendants dock, lunged at the clerk's table and shoved a computer monitor to the floor.

Ratteray was taken away still shouting abuse at Mr. King, but not before shouting: "I'm going to f***ing kill you!'' Insp. Giles added: "Obviously this is a very unsavoury matter. The courts are difficult environments.

"But certainly the magistrates must not come under physical attack. The courts should send a clear message.'' Ratteray had nothing to say during yesterday's hearing and showed no reaction when he was sentenced.