A BARRISTER went above and beyond the call of duty today when he drove a 70-mile round trip to collect a client and bring him to court — and then took him home again afterwards.

Keith Williams, 48, of Holme Road, was expected before Gloucester Crown Court for trial on a charge of stealing a caravan, but his plans to get a lift with a friend fell through at the last minute.

When his co-defendant Portial Docherty, 37, did show up and pleaded guilty to a charge of dishonestly handling the stolen caravan, Christopher Smythe, representing Williams, explained why he had not attended – and said he would drive to Swindon to get him.

Judge William Hart then adjourned the proceedings after bailing Docherty to await sentence at Swindon Crown Court on a date to be fixed.

Mr Smythe returned with Williams two hours later.

Williams pleaded guilty to the same charge Docherty had admitted – handling the Elite Sterling Searcher caravan stolen from Kevin Blower of Lower Wick, near Dursley, Gloucestershire, on February 16, 2014.

Both Williams and Docherty, also of Holme Road, had previously denied theft of the caravan and that charge was not proceeded with by prosecutor Philip Warren.

Judge Hart bailed Williams, also to be sentenced at Swindon on a date to be fixed, and told him he was lucky to be represented by such a helpful lawyer.

“You are lucky that Mr Smythe was concerned enough about your case to go to Swindon and get you to bring you to court today,” he said.

“Not many barristers would put themselves out to that extent. It has enabled the case to be progressed today.”

After the hearing Mr Smythe said he would be driving Williams to Cricklade and dropping him off there to find his way home.

The court has heard the stolen caravan was recovered when it was stopped at the M4 junction for Slough.