Former county judge Northcote dies

A former judge who lived and worked in Shropshire has died, aged 87.

Tributes have been paid to Peter Northcote, who was a judge at Shrewsbury Crown Court before he retired in 1989, although he continued in the position in a part-time role after this.

Court staff, barristers and judges yesterday all spoke of Mr Northcote.

Judge Robin Onions said he had been a circuit judge who later became the resident judge at Shrewsbury. He had lived and worked in the county and had been a "sensible and pragmatic" judge and a very pleasant man.

Mr Northcote lived in Wroxeter for many years before moving to Wellington when he retired.

Judge Onions said Mr Northcote's private life had been touched by tragedy twice through the loss of his sons, Robin and Michael, who both died in their 40s.

He said Mr Northcote's wife, Pat, had died in recent years and he was survived by a granddaughter, who lives in France. Judge Onions added: "Peter was a link to a legal landscape which is now long gone."

Michael Mander took over from Mr Northcote and was a judge at the crown court from 1989 to 2001. He said he had been a pupil of Mr Northcote's.

"I started off life as a solicitor and I was Peter's pupil as a barrister so I have a very close link with him," he said. "He was a very fine judge and was extremely widely respected by everybody including those who appeared in front of him."