THE great and good of the Shropshire legal system turned out on Friday to celebrate a Shrewsbury Crown Court judge on his retirement.

Judge Peter Barrie, resident judge at Shrewsbury Justice Centre, drew the curtain on his 10-year career at the court after moving from Bristol in 2014.

He was joined by his successor, Judge Anthony Lowe, as well as Justice Amanda Tipples, presiding judge of the Midlands Circuit, and the High Sheriff of Shropshire Brian Welti in court one.

More than 50 barristers, solicitors, court staff including clerks, ushers and security, including members of the press, were invited to hear tributes paid to Judge Barrie’s much-loved character and long career.

Many more also watched on the video link, including Lady Anna Turner, Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire.

Judge Barrie thanked all the court staff for their work in making his role as resident judge "much easier" and highlighted the move from Shirehall to the former magistrates court opposite as "the right thing to do".

He said: “Thank you very much for those kind words and to you all here – I’m very touched

“I’ve heard a lot of lies in this room over the years so it’s a good thing you’re not on oath.

“It has been a pleasure because of the support I’ve had from a wonderful team of court staff, who make the court run so smoothly.

“And the legal teams who have made my job so easier.

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“Good representation of defendants makes it easier to get to the point and I’m very grateful for that.

“One of the things that happened was the move into this building and everyone involved in it thinks it was a good move.

“We needed to make the move and I am grateful for the money spent turning this court into what he needed.

“It is a functional building – when we think of courts we think of the Old Bailey and the Goddess of Justice statue with the golden scales.

“We don’t have that here but in a park by the English bridge we have a Goddess of Justice and it's a shame it is not here.”

Judge Barrie then presented to his successor, Judge Lowe, a picture of the statue and asked for it to be displayed in the building.

Tributes to Judge Barrie were given by Judge Lowe, Justice Tipples, as well as Paul Smith, as a defence barrister and Philip Beardwell, as a prosecutor.

The room heard platitudes from former colleagues of Judge Barrie, who started out in common law and medical negligence in 1976.

Mr Smith said that visiting barristers "looked forward to coming to Shrewsbury" and that he was ‘‘a good lawyer…he is scrupulously fair and they say he is a gentleman".

Mr Beardwell said Judge Barrie was "always courteous, polite, patient and calm" even when faced with the most difficult of defendants, including one who chose to represent himself.

Judge Barrie’s tenure will end with a staff party on Monday, July 29.