A MAGISTRATE who has presided over thousands of criminal cases during more than a quarter of a century has stood down from the bench.

Dorothy Maskery sat for the last time at Derwentside Magistrates' Court, at Consett, County Durham, last Wednesday, on reaching the maximum age of 70.

She put in her final stint helping a judge at Durham Crown Court on appeals from magistrates' courts, on Friday.

Mrs Maskery, a retired laboratory technician at Consett's Blackfyne Comprehensive School, was sworn in by the former presiding judge at Durham, Alistair Sharp, in January 1974.

She said: "I've thoroughly enjoyed my time as a magistrate and I would happily go on."

Mrs Maskery, of Lanchester, will continue her voluntary work, helping to run Durham Prison's visitor centre creche, and as a custodian at Durham Cathedral.

On Friday, Durham's resident judge, Denis Orde, said: "I would like to thank her publicly for the dedicated service she has given to this crown court."

Senior barrister Beatrice Bolton described her as "a kind and gracious woman, who has devoted herself to her community".

Flowers were presented by the court staff. Mrs Maskery had received crystal from Derwentside magistrates.