A day-long drama workshop, designed to give young people a taste of how the criminal justice system operates, has taken place.

Thirty-six pupils from Llandudno's Ysgol John Bright took part in the Justice in a Day project, which saw a scenario acted out whereby a youngster - 'Connor,' actually played by Joseph Asher - pleaded guilty to possessing drugs with intent to supply after being caught passing substances to a person at a party.

The workshop was created by Mold-based charity, Theatr Clwyd. Pictured is Taylor Martin of the charity, during the dayThe day-long workshop was created by Mold-based charity, Theatr Clwyd. Pictured is Taylor Martin of the charity, during the day (Image: Mandy Jones)

The fictional Connor was groomed by county lines gangs, and forced into selling Ketamine (a Class B controlled drug), after he started taking drugs himself and fell into debt, ran the story.

Participants even acted out emotional scenes at Llandudno Magistrates Court, which saw Connor led away at the end of the trial to begin a sentence at a Young Offenders institution.

The day was organised by the North Wales Police and Community Trust (PACT). Pictured is PACT chair of trustees, Ashley Rogers (left), with Taylor Martin and Ysgol John Bright pupilsThe day was organised by the North Wales Police and Community Trust (PACT). Pictured is PACT chair of trustees, Ashley Rogers (left), with Taylor Martin and Ysgol John Bright pupils (Image: Mandy Jones)

Organised by the North Wales Police and Community Trust (PACT), the aim of the Justice in a Day project is to give young people across North Wales a taste of the effect of crime on families and communities.

The day-long workshop was created by actors and creatives at Mold-based Theatr Clwyd.

Participating pupils from Ysgol John Bright were in Years 8 and 9, and they took part as part of their Personal Social and Health Education studies.

The Justice in a Day scheme is said to have been running for 15 years, and to have given around 9,000 young people insight into how the justice system operates The Justice in a Day scheme is said to have been running for 15 years, and to have given around 9,000 young people insight into how the justice system operates (Image: Mandy Jones)

PACT chair, Ashley Rogers, said of the project: "It really does give young people the opportunity to get an awareness of how the criminal justice system works and, really importantly, understand the consequences of criminal behaviour on the offender, the victim, and also the community as a whole.

"The day is exceptionally powerful and we hope it encourages good citizenship at a crucial age in our young people's development."

Assistant director Bethan Haf Jones, from Theatr Clwyd, explained that the Justice in a Day course is based on real cases from North Wales courts.

She said: "The actors tell the story and the pupils discuss what they think the sentence should be, but we have a real magistrate to deliver what the actual sentence was, and explain why the court came to the decision it did."

One of the participating pupils, Hannah, 13, said she had realised that television depicted crime and justice in a different way to real life.

She said: "We need to educate young people that drugs do no one any good and that many people will be affected by one person's action."

Connor, 12, said: "I didn't know the court took into account the offender's background and that the main purpose is to try and help [the offender]."

Leon, also 12, said: "I've learned a lot about how the justice system works and the difference between adult and youth courts."

Among those present during the day was Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, Wayne Jones.