THE top magistrate in Oxfordshire said he found the job “challenging yet immensely satisfying” as he stood down after three years in the role.

Tim Pocock served the maximum term as the first Chairman of the Oxfordshire Bench after being elected by his fellow magistrates on January 1, 2012.

The 66-year-old former manufacturing strategist at the Cowley BMW plant stepped down on December 31, but said he would continue to serve as a magistrate until he has to retire on his 70th birthday.

Mr Pocock retired in 2000 and then was elected chairman when the three benches of South Oxford, North Oxford and City of Oxford were amalgamated for the first time three years ago.

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He has been congratulated on successfully bringing together over 200 Justices of the Peace from around the county, who hear all criminal cases in the magistrates’ courts of Oxford, Bicester and Banbury, before sending about five per cent of the more serious cases to Oxford Crown Court.

Mr Pocock said: “It has been challenging yet immensely satisfying.

“At a time when the court service has faced significant financial constraint, the Ministry of Justice has launched numerous new initiatives in an attempt to streamline and rationalise the administration of justice.

“Oxfordshire magistrates have kept up to speed with considerable changes and are to be congratulated on doing so in their own time, as volunteers.”

Mr Pocock, of Green Road, Headington, will be succeeded by Kathie Booth-Stevens as chairman of the bench.


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