Senior JP calls it a day

Mar 7 2008 by Barry Gibson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

HUDDERSFIELD’S longest-serving magistrate has retired.

Gill Pratt had worked at the town’s magistrates’ court since 1975.

Chairman of the bench Eileen Marchant paid tribute to the New-some woman.

She said: “Gill has a wealth of experience because of the variety of roles she has had.

“She’s always had a big interest in local community matters and has played a prominent role in action groups.”

Mrs Pratt, 65, a mother-of-three, is moving to York.

In her time on the court she fulfilled a number of roles.

From 1976 to 2004 she sat on the youth panel, chairing it for three years. She also served on the family panel and worked for the National Probation Service.

Mrs Pratt stood unsuccessfully for Labour in the Almondbury ward in the 1987 Kirklees elections.

Her husband, Garth, who died last year, was also a Labour stalwart, serving on the then West Yorkshire Council from 1981 to 1986.