Former courthouse hits market

The Old Courthouse in Linton, Cambridgeshire is for sale at £800,000. The nine-bedroom property was once a police station, magistrates court and local prison.

Original prison cells remain intact

One cell still has its original toilet, paint and flooring. Wall inscriptions date back to 1821, preserving nearly two centuries of history.

Second cell became a bathroom

The other prison cell has been converted into a bathroom but retains its original form and structure.

Police station opened in 1855

The building was dated as a police station in September 1855. It served as the centre of the Linton division, covering over 20 local parishes.

Built for £1,040 originally

The station was reportedly built for £1,040 and staffed by 10 police officers when it opened.

Thousands of petty crimes heard

Cases included Robert Swann, who assaulted his mother with a dung fork in 1865 and got three months hard labour.

Teacher jailed for throwing stone

Eugene Stamp, a trainee teacher at Linton church school, served 14 days for throwing a stone at a train.

Thief transported to Australia

In 1857, Charles Whittaker was found guilty of stealing 25 pounds of brass. He was sentenced to four years' transportation to Australia or a penal colony.

Closed as station in 1958

The building stopped being a police station in 1958 when Cambridge Road station opened. It remained a magistrates court into the 1970s before becoming a home.

Current owners bought in 1993

The property was purchased by its current owners in 1993, who have retained as many original features as possible.

Spans over 4,000 square feet

The house has two kitchens, a large lobby, the courtroom, sitting room, dining room and integral garage on the ground floor.

Nine bedrooms and four bathrooms

Seven bedrooms are on the first floor with four bathrooms. The property is set around a courtyard garden with lawned area leading to the River Granta.

Internet pioneer's family home

Robert Williams, one of the founders of Unipalm (later Pipex), Britain's first internet provider in 1992, owned the property.

Son fascinated by the building

Merrick Williams, who is selling with his mother, was thrilled by having so much to explore, particularly the old courtroom and cells.

“Its history, architecture and rather extraordinary collection of spaces made it feel less like an ordinary house and more like a small piece of the village's story.”

Garden reaches the river

The garden extends directly towards the River Granta, giving the property an unusual relationship with the surrounding landscape despite being within the village.

“Despite being within the village, there is a real sense of privacy and connection with the countryside.”

Family moving to the US

Merrick Williams and his wife are selling to settle in America. He hopes the next buyer will appreciate the history and character that make it distinctive.