ONE of Durham's longest serving magistrates has retired from the bench.

Dave Willey, 60, a journalist at The Sunderland Echo's Durham office until he took early retirement two years ago, dispensed justice for 23 years.

He presided in adult and youth, formerly juvenile, courts and dealt with licensing and betting and gaming issues.

Until last year he was one of the bench's deputy chairmen.

Bench chairman Mac Williams said: "He is an excellent magistrate and we will miss his skills. He was well-versed in the law and he always had a joke for you. Other magistrates always loved sitting with him.''

Mr Willey, who is married and has a son and grandson, said: "It was a personal thing. I didn't have to retire but I decided to. I have done 23 years and I'm going to take it easy. I had health problems and that was a factor as well.

"I have enjoyed it very much and it has been satisfying. I went in hoping I could achieve something and I have achieved it.

"I think I'm one of the few journalists that has made it to the bench.

"I'm a greater supporter of the magistrates system,'' he said.

Mr Willey received gifts from colleagues, former magistrates and friends at a retirement event held at the city's Mount Oswald Golf Club