Tributes have been paid to magistrate Pauline Cringle as she retires after over 28 years of service.
Having first been sworn in 1996, Mrs Cringle is stepping down due to a requirement for magistrates to retire at a certain age.
Sitting for the final time on Thursday, Mrs Cringle said that when she was first asked about being a magistrate, in 1995, she was “very surprised” as it “wasn’t something I would ever have considered doing.”
Despite this, after being sworn in by Deemster Jack Corrin in 1996, Mrs Cringle said the role had been “rewarding in so many ways” and been “such a big part of my life”.
Mrs Cringle praised her fellow magistrates she has served with in her years of service, as well as the legal officers who assist them, including Becky Cubbon who currently holds the role and made a special mention to court officer Zoe Cannell for “keeping us all in order”.
Service
Paying tribute to Mrs Cringle was Vice Chairman of the Isle of Man Magistrates’ Association David Nash.
Mr Nash said: “For many years Pauline has acted as chairman of the bench, undertaking this important role with professionalism, ensuring cases are progressed where possible and decisions are delivered clearly.”
He also wished Mrs Cringle well and said her commitment to the role, life experience and support would be missed by the courts.
A Pleasure
Speaking on behalf of the Manx Bar, advocate Jim Travers said Mrs Cringle had always undertaken the role with “compassion, wise judgement, keen interest in proceedings and a good manner throughout, despite the best efforts of advocates”.
He added :”Your time before the court has been invaluable and at times it must have been difficult listening to advocates wittering on about one application issue or another.
Mr Travers said the whole of the Manx Bar wished her well in her retirement and thanked Mrs Cringle for her work for the courts and the wider island community.
Prosecutor Hazel Carroon, one of the advocates to have appeared on both sides of the fence, echoed those sentiments, saying “it has always been a pleasure to appear before you” and praising Mrs Cringle’s work in the role.
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