Striking fear into hearts of the guilty

Those heading for the dock at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court be warned – there’s a new “formidable” judge coming to town.

Canterbury’s resident judge Adele Williams was given a rousing send-off on Friday from lawyers and staff.

Judge Williams – who has completed her eight-year stint at the helm – heads off to the Court of Appeal before moving on to the bench at Maidstone.

Among the many judges and barristers who packed Court 6 to pay tribute was Mr Justice Stuart-Smith from the Queen’s Bench Division.

He told her: “You are held in high esteem by one and all. You have a formidable reputation as a good judge.

“You are feared only by the criminal, the incompetent and especially the incompetent criminal.

“You are regarded as a judge who gets things done without show or fuss.”

He said that advocates planning to appear in front of her were expected to be “properly prepared” and, although she was regarded as tough, “she never loses her humanity”.

He joked that friends and col- leagues spoke consistently about her “love for the law, her family and Wales – but not necessarily in that order!”.

Judge Williams, who was the Honorary Recorder of Canterbury and Deputy Lieutenant, was also praised for introducing open days where the public were given the chance to participate in mock trials and sentencing.

Her successor, Judge Heather Norton – described by a top QC as a “class act” – said despite the difficult work there was “always laughter coming from the dining room” during the lunchbreak.

She added: “She may strike fear into the hearts of the undeserving guilty, but all of us know her to be terrific company.

“She is also kind and generous to all her staff and we are all proud to call her our friend.

“She is also a fierce supporter of Kent’s independent Bar and the judiciary and always willing to give good, sound, pragmatic advice.”

Judge Norton said Canterbury had the reputation for being the “nicest” crown court in the South East, “in short part due to Judge Williams’s leadership”.

Top QC Oliver Saxby also brought laughter to the court when he “translated” remarks used by the judge in sentencing.

He said: “When she says ‘Your advocate has said everything they possibly could’… it means rather too much!

“‘I’ve listened to mitigation on your behalf’ – as in ‘It wasn’t up to much’.

“‘I’ve listened to mitigation ably advanced on your behalf…’ – as in ‘It was pretty OK’.

“‘I’ve listened to mitigation very ably advanced on your behalf…’ which is always a very bad sign.

“As in ‘You’re just about to get a very long sentence’.”