ONE of West Devon bench's most experienced members presided over her final court in Tavistock last Friday.

Pat Alexander has served as a magistrate for 22 years — she decided to retire early as a result of this summer's cost-cutting decision to close Tavistock's magistrates' court.

Although an appeal is pending, the court seems likely to be closed at Christmas, with cases being transferred to other areas.

Court proceedings in Tavistock were delayed while solicitors and colleagues paid tribute to Miss Alexander.

David Gittins, a Crown Prosecution solicitor, said: 'In my view she is the complete magistrate, showing compassion to those who merit it and never shying away from being firm with those who deserve it — we shall miss her.

Tavistock solicitor Peter Sleep said it was 'a sad day' to see Miss Alexander leave the bench.

'Some have left the court poorer in their pockets, some chastened, some down those stairs below, but none could complain they have ever been patronised or treated with anything other than fairness and compassion.'

Frances Williams, clerk of the court, said she had only worked in the West Devon area for nine years and was a 'complete novice' when compared with Miss Alexander.

She said Miss Alexander had always been courteous and helpful to court staff and those appearing in court.

'Above all you have shown an immense sense of humour — I give you ten out of ten for that,' she said.

'I know how hard you have fought for local justice for local people and I know how deeply you feel.

'I am very sad this day has come — you will be very much missed,' said Mrs Williams.

Ted Sherrell, a magistrate who has served 19 years on West Devon bench, said: 'To be a colleague of Pat's has always been a great privilege.

'She is a charming lady of the very highest integrity and always brought to her role as JP the type of qualities which exemplify the lay magistracy at its best.

'To say she will be missed is an understatement of immense proportions.'

After such tributes, Miss Alexander said she was 'virtually speechless' for the first time in her life.

Speaking of her decision to retire early, she said local justice for local people was 'terribly important'.

'It seems inevitable that after 500 hundred years of continued justice in this town the powers that be have decided that probably from the New Year, there will be no more bench in Tavistock,' said Miss Alexander.

She said it was 'a tragedy' that a very good and experienced bench was 'fragmented and destroyed' by the decision to close Tavistock Magistrates Court.

'The last 22 years have been a great privilege — I do thank you,' she said.