A COURTROOM had to be cleared today (Fri) after a defendant claimed he had a highly contagious disease.

The man was appearing at North Somerset Courthouse in St Georges when he told the court that he suspected he had the skin disease scabies.

After he was taken back down to the cells at the courthouse, the courtroom was cleared so that the dock could be cleaned.

Scabies is a skin infection caused by tiny parasites that burrow under the skin and cause intense itching.

The man is expected to be sent to a doctor to confirm or deny whether he has the illness.