Judge ‘who gets it right’ moves on
AT HELM IN CITY FOR SIX YEARS
A JUDGE who spots “the real bad guys” has presided over his final day at the city’s crown court.
Judge Nicholas Dean QC, who grew up in Leicester and went to Wyggeston Grammar for Boys, is leaving to take up a prominent post as The Recorder of Manchester.
The 59-year-old said his six years as the resident judge in Leicester were the “happiest of my career” and he was heading north to a “daunting but exciting opportunity, filling some very large shoes”.
Tributes were paid to Judge Dean on Friday in a socially distanced court room, with many others attending remotely.
After going to Leeds University, Nicholas Dean was called to the bar in 1982, and went on to do his pupillage at Leicester’s King Street Chambers. He later joined a barristers’ chambers in London, before taking silk in 2003.
The QC became a judge in 2013 before his appointment as Leicester Crown Court’s senior resident judge in 2014.
Judge Philip Head said Nicholas Dean had spent “six golden years at the tiller in Leicester”.
He described the judge as “patient and humane” attending to his duties “seriously and effectively”.
“Manchester’s gain is Leicester’s loss, good luck and we will miss you sorely,” said Judge Head, who takes over as acting temporary resident judge until a permanent candidate is appointed.
Representing the bar, Balraj Bhatia
QC, who has known Judge Dean since their school days, said: “He’ll listen, he’ll be courteous and he’ll get it right. He’s down to earth, matter-of-fact and doesn’t like a fuss.
“He has a human feel for cases with a talent to spot the true bad guys.”
Mr Bhatia said the judge was known for his “light touch” approach to cases, recognising when rehabilitation was appropriate, but could deliver harsh penalties when deserved.
Presiding high court judge of the Midlands Circuit, Mr Justice Jeremy Baker, said Judge Dean was compassionate and “gentle in his dealings with people” yet had “a mastery of the court”.
Judge Dean praised the court staff. He said: “I leave Leicester with a very heavy heart. I’ve tried to approach the job with humility and compassion, I will miss all of you.”