First blind judge appointed

By Jo Butler, PA

A newly appointed part-time judge is set to become the first blind man to preside over a criminal court.

The appointment of John Lafferty, from London, as an assistant recorder was announced by the Lord Chancellor Lord Irvine today.

The post, which involves sitting as a judge for 20-30 days a year, is seen as the first rung on the judicial ladder.

There are already two other blind judges working, one in the High Court and one as an immigration adjudicator, but Judge Lafferty will be the first to hear criminal cases.

Announcing the appointment, Lord Irvine called for more lawyers with disabilities to put themselves forward for promotion.

The move follows a relaxation of the rule banning blind people from becoming magistrates.

Diane Cram, from Exeter, was the first of six visually handicapped magistrates to begin work as part of an 18-month trial in 1998.

There are now eight blind or partially sighted magistrates in post.

A spokesman for the Royal National Institute for the Blind welcomed the news.

He said: "We'd like to congratulate Judge Lafferty on his appointment and we welcome this groundbreaking development.

"We would like to see more barriers removed from all walks of life so that all people can be considered for these posts."

"Erster blinder Richter wird in UK im Strafgericht eingesetzt!"