A north Norfolk headmaster was 'arrested' and put in the court dock to answer charges - but for a good cause.

North Norfolk News: Community and business leaders from across Norfolk take part in the Jail & Bail charity fundraiser outside Norwich Prison for Ormiston Families. Picture by SIMON FINLAY.Community and business leaders from across Norfolk take part in the Jail & Bail charity fundraiser outside Norwich Prison for Ormiston Families. Picture by SIMON FINLAY.

Douglas Robb from Gresham's independent school at Holt, was among 20 people 'collared' and taken to court for charity during a Jail and Bail event.

Getting dressed in the dark, causing actual sausage harm and boring health and safety training were some of the reasons why community and business leaders from across Norfolk were detained in a mass swoop at Norwich Cathedral, then driven to court in a police van.

The Jail and Bail event was organised by the Ormiston Families charity to raise awareness and funds for its work running children centres, helps and families affected by imprisonment and provides support to those from the gypsy and traveller communities.

Mr Robb was 'charged' with 'deliberately diminishing fish stocks along the north Norfolk coast.'

He explained: 'It is because I aim to buy a boat and aim to throw the odd line overboard - and I also enjoy eating fish.'

The court appearance in front of bewigged barristers was 'very jovial and good humoured'.

In his plea of mitigation Mr Robb told the bench the charges were spurious because the seal colony at Blakeney was thriving.

'There weren't impressed but they reduced my bail figure from £2,000 to £1,500 after I told them I was a humble schoolmaster.'

Parents had raised £1,700 however so it was a good result for Ormiston.

Gresham's has a link with charity's education arm, providing a yearly scholarship sixth form place for a student from the Ormiston Victory Academy at Gorleston.

Back at his desk the day after his charity court appearance Mr Robb said he was catching up with emails, including some from parents worried he had really been arrested.

The day raised more than £20,000 for Ormiston families, whose regional director Zina Bourne said: 'All this fundraising gives us opportunity to work with people others say 'no' to.

'People have given up time to raise a lot of money and they go away learning what the charity is about.'

Donations can still be made at www.justgiving.com/Douglas-Robb1/