Sad scenes as old school friends come face to face - on either side of the dock

The most unexpected - and unfortunate - of reunions took place in a Florida courtroom this week, after a judge recognised a man arrested for burglary while he stood before her in the dock.

Miami judge Mindy Glazer was working in bond court when she recognised Arthur Booth, 49, whom she described as being "the nicest kid in middle school".

"Oh my goodness, oh my goodness," Booth says, as he covered his head and began crying.

Booth was arrested on Monday on charges including burglary, grand theft, fleeing, and resisting arrest.

"I'm sorry to see you there, I always wondered what happened to you sir," Glazer says, as Booth continues crying. "This was the nicest kid in middle school, he was the best kid in middle school. I used to play football with him, all the kids, and look what has happened."

According to an arrest report, Booth was spotted driving a gold Honda Accord that was a vehicle suspected of being involved in a home burglary. When an officer tried to stop the Accord, Booth took off, and a pursuit began, the report said.

As Booth keeps crying and repeating "oh my goodness", the judge tries to be comforting.

"What's sad is how old we've become," she says, adding: "Good luck to you, sir, I hope you are able to come out of this OK and just lead a lawful life."