New sheriff says Oban is the ‘perfect town to live in’
THERE is a new sheriff in town – and he thinks ‘Oban is the perfect town to live in’.
Patrick Hughes, 40, was officially inducted into his new role on Wednesday July 5. He takes over from Sheriff Ruth Anderson QC who retired from the position.
Dozens of people made their way to the Oban court for the ceremony, where a number of speeches took place.
Sheriff principal, Duncan Murray, procurator fiscal Laura Mundell, and Karen MacAllister of Oban Faculty of Solicitors attended the event and were full of praise for Sheriff Hughes’ appointment.
Mr Hughes, who grew up in Irvine, is a graduate of the University of Strathclyde and became a procurator fiscal depute in 2004, when he qualified as a solicitor.
He worked in this role for four years before being promoted in 2008 to senior procurator fiscal depute.
Sheriff Hughes, who has also been a part-time tutor at the University of Strathclyde, spent some time as the acting head of the wildlife and environmental crime unit in 2014.
Speaking to The Oban Times about his new role, he said: ‘I think it is a great honour. It’s a privilege and I will do everything I can to ensure I am worthy of it.’
Sheriff Hughes’s first impression of his new home was also a positive one. He said: ‘I am extremely taken with Oban. It is the perfect town to live in. It’s compact, full of natural beauty and I am impressed with what a busy main street it has.’
Fort William Sheriff Court also received a new sheriff this year – Eilidh MacDonald, a graduate of the University of Dundee.
The appointments were made by the Queen on the recommendation of the First Minister on the basis of a report by the Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland.