24/01/08
Just been having a quick browse through the gazette and one of the first things that caught my attention was the youths that have been up at Alnwick Youth Court, fair enough they probably deserved it after reading what they had been up to. But the question that immediately came to mind was: What was the average age of the magistrates that sit at not just Alnwick but in the County? Turns out it is between 55 and 60. I mean come on! With the greatest of respect lets get a bit of young blood onto the bench at least they would have a fresh perspective of being young in the 21st century, and able to learn from the experience of the senior members of the bench. It is also encouraging to note that the age to become a magistrate was reduced a few years back from 27 to 18. So come on Northumberland Advisory Committee start recruiting some young blood!
