RAY Mallon may be the modern equivalent of Middlesbrough's zero tolerance law enforcer, but there was a time when A.P. Peaker was the man not to be messed with.
Mr Peaker, a stipendiary magistrate, was "the law in Middlesbrough" for 30 years leading up to the 1960s and his legend was remembered at a meeting of Erimus Rotary Club last night.
I was guest speaker at the meeting, which took place at Middlesbrough Golf Club, and Ken Holt mentioned the fearsome magistrate in his vote of thanks.
Ken, who was a young police officer at the time, remembered a prostitute appearing before Mr Peaker, charged with soliciting.
The fine was 40 shillings but the woman declared that she had no means to pay.
Mr Peaker is reputed to have considered the situation carefully before telling her: "I'll adjourn this case until after lunch - see what you can raise by then."
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