IT WAS the end of an era as a long-serving magistrate retired after clocking up nearly 33 years of service.
Tributes were paid to Jean Ellerton, chairman of the Grimsby and Cleethorpes Bench, on her final day at the court.
She was originally appointed to the Scunthorpe Bench on February 1, 1980 and later became deputy chairman there in 2001, but transferred to Grimsby in 2002 after her son James became a police officer in Scunthorpe.
Mrs Ellerton, 70, was appointed chairman of the Grimsby Bench last year.
A farewell ceremony took place at the court and her deputies, Elaine Houlton and Audrey Lambert, praised her and thanked her for her service.
Mrs Houlton said Mrs Ellerton was held in very high regard by court users. She was a "people person" who worked extremely hard and had a great sense of humour.
Mrs Lambert said Mrs Ellerton would be a "hard act to follow" and, because she had dignity, understanding, flair and wit, was the "perfect role model for every JP".
Deputy justices' clerk Mike Draper thanked Mrs Ellerton for her support over the years and for her dedication.
Defence solicitor Roy Foreman praised Mrs Ellerton for her service to the community and described her as an "old school" magistrate who brought a degree of dignity, wisdom and knowledge of the world to her role.
Prosecutor John Owston said Mrs Ellerton's sense of humour was "legendary" and that she was a "pleasure" to work with in court.
Senior probation officer Nick Hamilton-Rudd said Mrs Ellerton had played a significant role in court and had been a key supporter of the probation service.
Mrs Ellerton, who has three sons, said of her time as a magistrate: "It has been endlessly interesting and there have been some very funny moments."
But she said that society "really did not seem to have learned very much over the last 30 years" because issues including neglect and abuse were still there.
She thanked her husband John, her colleagues and all the court staff for their support, including Mr Draper who was himself leaving the same week.
The new chairman of the Bench will be Tony Miller.
