by Lauren Fruen

lfruen@thekmgroup.co.uk

Kent's longest-serving magistrate says society is failing some criminals by sending them to prison.

Chris Stanley made the bold statement as he retired from the role after 39 years overseeing the county’s courts.

The 70-year-old grandfather, of Island Wall, Whitstable, says drug addicts and alcoholics released after prison terms are not being given the help they need.

Mr Stanley, who was also the county’s oldest magistrate, said: “I find it difficult to send people to prison

“If somebody is addicted to drugs or alcohol and they are just sent to prison and then released then that is society failing them. We need to tackle the addiction.”

But retirement does not mean Mr Stanley will leave law behind for good.

In fact he plans to use his time to campaign to change the way children are dealt with by the courts.

Mr Stanley said: “I was appointed in 1973 and I have been there ever since.
“My particular area of interest has been the youth court.

"if somebody is addicted to drugs or alcohol and they are just sent to prison and then released then that is society failing them. we need to tackle the addiction" – magistrate chris stanley

“The one real regret I have is that the youth court system is separated between the welfare of children and those committing crimes.

“That’s my retirement job – to get the system to deal with children holistically. The welfare of the young person is as important. You need to look at the causes and not just lock them up.”

The former engineer also believes mergers between courts means the important familiarity between magistrates is lost.

He added: “When I joined in 1973 everyone really brought you into the fold. We have lost some of that closeness now.

“You may sit with someone you have never seen before. You lose the familiarity and that is important. You do not get local justice as much as you used to.

“When I started I knew all the villains, I knew the young people and I knew the streets.

“I could picture it happening. Now I could be sent to Folkestone and not know the area very well. That’s a negative.

“But the role has not changed massively over the years and our powers are much the same as 39 years ago.

“I think the power of the ordinary person being a magistrate is still extremely strong.”