TRIBUTES have been paid at Canterbury Crown Court to Judge William Poulton who died suddenly last weekend. He was 65.

Judge Poulton was the Designated Civil Judge for Kent. Members of the Kent Bar, fellow judges and court staff as well as Judge Poulton's family were in court to hear Resident Judge Anthony Webb lead the tributes to the judge who recently adjudicated in the case involving disgraced doctor Clifford Ayling.

Judge Poulton, who lived at Norton near Faversham, attended Dover College followed by New College Oxford where, after graduation, he lectured in law.

Judge Webb said: "The strength of his intellect was apparent in the clarity of his thoughts and the reasoning of his judgements."

Judge Poulton was called to the Bar in 1965 and practised first in the Chancery courts then was appointed a Circuit Judge in 1994, sitting first in Sussex but returning to sit in Kent.

He adjudicated in a number of cases that attracted national publicity. Judge Webb stressed: "He looked for, and expected, the highest standards from those who appeared professionally before him, but was not a person of antiquated ideas."

Judge Poulton was a stalwart supporter of the annual cricket match between the Kent Bar and Kent solicitors, which he regularly umpired. He celebrated his 65th birthday shortly before his death and Judge Webb said all would miss his unfailing cheerfulness, his sense of humour and store of wisdom.