Huddersfield's longest-serving magistrate has stepped down after 33 years on the bench.
Magistrate John Scott has seen huge changes in the local justice system since his appointment in 1981 after a successful career in social work.
Mr Scott officially retired from the bench on Tuesday, ahead of his 70th birthday, and told assembled staff and colleagues how he believes the justice system has been ‘significantly improved’ and is far more ‘democratic’ than when he began his service.
He told the Examiner: “As a social worker I used to go to court a lot and I thought, ‘I could do as good a job’.
“I thought I’d seen a fair bit of life and in many ways it is similar to social work.
“You’re in a position to affect people’s lives. They may not like that but ultimately there are occasions where you can steer people towards a better path.”
But as Mr Scott explains, he took to the bench long before there were Sentencing Guidelines, which now ensure each Magistrates Court in the country sentences similar offences in the same way.
He added: “It was a huge responsibility. We had a very scruffy piece of paper with the most common offences on. Of course, every bench could make their own sentences. So a person in Northallerton could be punished more severely than someone in Huddersfield.
“It’s a lot fairer system now and the clerks and legal advisors do a fantastic job.
“Magistrates also represent ‘Joe public better’. When I became a magistrate it was all Lieutenant Generals and the like. A very cosy set up of the ‘great and good’.
“There was also a reluctance for debate between the magistrates and the chair of the bench compared to now when making a decision can even get quite heated.
“The current restorative justice is still being worked on but it gives people a chance to take responsibility. Prison really is a dreadful place and often they end up in a worse position and its really quite depressing.”
Mr Scott said he will miss the role which has been a huge chapter in his life.
He added: “I will miss the characters. My favourite case was a man who had been to Emley Show and been drinking and chose to celebrate by sending a picture of his private parts to his girlfriend using one of those photo booths.
“He fell off the seat and was arrested for drunk and disorderly. That case is one I have always remembered.”
Mr Scott is a life member of the Magistrates Association and during his time on the Bench he was an approved chairman in the adult court, a member of the appraisal team and served on the licensing committee.
He has been married to Shirley for 49 years, has three daughters and four grandchildren.
He is now planning to restore a 1969 Morris Minor so will be found under the bonnet most days in the near future.
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