Security is being stepped up at Magistrates? Court.

From Monday, there will be a security guard, screening devices and a turnstile at the front entrance.

Government spokesman John Burchall said everyone entering the court will be screened and searched before being allowed inside the building.

He added this would be carried out efficiently, but urged people attending to allow 30 minutes? extra time so they were not late for court appointments.

Courts will still be open to visitors, except for matrimonial and children?s cases. And Police have instructions to remove anyone who fails to follow court rules, Mr. Burchall added.

The new security comes a year after former Acting Senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves blasted lax security after a man entered his courtroom carrying a machete.

Mr. Greaves ? now a Puisne Judge ? called for tougher security after discovering that a man he sentenced for assault was concealing a 20-inch long machete that had ?The Peacemaker? written on side and ?RIP. See you when I get there? on the other.

the man told the court he carried the machete because he had received a death threat.

Mr. Greaves said: ?I do appreciate your honesty but you make the authorities in this Country look stupid. You could walk in here with a bomb and kill all of us. They do not take security seriously here.?