THE latest intake of magistrates to serve the courts of County Durham and Darlington have been inaugurated.
Twenty newly-appointed Justices of the Peace were sworn in at a ceremony at Durham Crown Court on Tuesday.
Nine men and 11 women took the judicial oath and the oath of allegiance to qualify to serve on the North and South Durham benches, at six court centres.
Judge Richard Lowden, in his capacity as the Honorary Judicial Recorder of Durham, presided over the ceremony, along with the county's Lord Lieutenant, Sir Paul Nicholson, in his role as chairman of the advisory committee for Durham on Justices of the Peace.
He told the magistrates to make the most of their forthcoming roles, and to be confident that they are taking to a post which has stood the test of time.
The new magistrates are: Robert Bridgett, Shildon; Linda Clark, Stanley; Colin Frank Stanley Davison, Weardale; Andrew John Dixon, Bishop Auckland; Anthony Nicholas Edger, Darlington; Marjory Frances Gilliespie Elliott, Durham; David Edward Fryer, Bishop Auckland; Gail Anne Ellinor Gallagher, Chester-le-Street, Anthony Edward Geraghty, Darlington; Kenneth Ronald Kell, Crook; Peter Whiteley Lisle, Lanchester; Brenda Lodge-Metcalfe, School Aycliffe; Wendy Plunkett, Stockton; Jill Richardson, Bishop Auckland; Alison Rickaby, Durham City; Mary Anita Savory, Wolsingham; Mavis Sherwood, Durham; Patricia Taylor, Stockton; Shirley Ann Wilson, School Aycliffe; Diane Gillian Wright, Newton Aycliffe.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article