Investigation over court room loo dash

The woman's dash through the jury room to the toilet took everyone by surprise - and has caused a delay to proceedings. Photo / Thinkstock

An investigation has been launched after a woman "did a runner" from a courtroom today and burst into the jury room in another court.

The jury were waiting for day six of a trial they are sitting on to begin this morning when they were interrupted.

The woman had fled custody inside another courtroom at Christchurch District Court shouting, "I've got to get out of here."

She went inside another courtroom, tried to enter through a locked door adjoining the court cells before rushing into the jury room.

The woman charged past the jurors before locking herself in the toilet.

Security staff and police were called while the jury were taken out of their room.

The door was taken off its hinges before the intruder was removed out a back entrance.

A Child, Youth and Family spokeswoman said they were looking into the incident, along with the Ministry of Justice.

"We continue to work with the young woman and support her through some challenges she is facing."

The kidnapping and assault trial of Kaiapoi businessman Dave Clemence, was delayed for about 10 minutes while the woman was removed.

Judge Gary MacAskill apologised to the jury when he finally got on the bench and began his summing up.