Friends and former colleagues have paid tribute to retired Oxford circuit judge Paul Clark who died last week, aged 68.

Judge Paul Clark was a circuit judge in Oxford from 1985 to 2003, and was also a trustee of the city's Ashmolean Museum.

Paying tribute to him during a special gathering at Oxford Crown Court last Wednesday, Judge Patrick Eccles said: "I knew him for almost 40 years. Paul was a man with a great variety of gifts beyond as well as within the law.

"Here in Oxford he was a devoted trustee of the Ashmolean Museum for many years.

"His greatest gift was his helpfulness to young and old alike. He knew everyone from the magistracy to the House of Lords.

"If you were not ambitious he would be ambitious for you. He helped my first faltering footsteps along the path of advocacy.

"He positively nagged me to apply to become a judge. I am personally very grateful for having known Paul Clark. I knew and valued him as a friend."

Judge Clark first came to Oxford as a student, studying at New College in the 1960s.

His association with the university would continue throughout his life, including taking on the role as chairman of the university's disciplinary court.

In 1998, he was in the national news after receiving a death threat from a man over whose custody hearing he had presided.

Judge Clark's career was jeopardised in December 1999, when he was badly injured when he was involved in a collision with a car while cycling near his home in North Oxford.

Following the accident his wife, Judge Jacqueline Davies moved on to the Oxford circuit so she could be near her husband.

And according to his friend Judge Eccles, it was this accident that cut short Judge Clark's career.

Judge Julian Hall also paid tribute to his friend and former colleague.

He said: "Paul was a circuit judge in Oxford here for many, many years.

"Not just a judge, of course, but he lived here and practised here and was involved in many community activities.

"He was forthright and direct and he did not want to waste time."

Judge Clark died on Tuesday, October 7. He is survived by his widow, Judge Davies.