Tributes were today paid to one of Maidstone Crown Court’s most popular judges, Antony Balston, who died this week.

Eulogies were led by acting Resident Judge Philip Statman. Others were made at Canterbury Crown Court.

Judge Balston said an emotional farewell in October 2005 when he retired, aged 67, because of poor health.

He was close to tears as he told brother judges, barristers and court staff he would have liked to continue for another five years.

Judge Balston, who lived in Northiam, East Sussex, was a partner in a leading law firm in Hastings, East Sussex, for 20 years before becoming a Deputy Recorder in 1977.

He was one of the first solicitors to become a circuit judge when appointed in 1985.

He tried the first private rape prosecution in this country.

“He was well ahead of his time in terms of sensitivity and the Court of Appeal adopted what he said - that a prostitute has as much right to say no as any other woman,” Judge Statman told a packed courtroom.

“He was well ahead of his time in terms of sensitivity and the Court of Appeal adopted what he said - that a prostitute has as much right to say no as any other woman...” - Judge Statman

He was known for his brevity and efficiency in dealing with cases. Even in a complicated fraud trial he would sum up for no longer than 20 minutes.

Lawyers joked: “Judge Balston sits in Court 3, but never after 3.”

Judge Statman continued: “Judge Balston was never guilty of giving a notebook summing up. That was because he took very few notes.

“He was of the school of judges who believed the jury had heard the evidence and no gloss was needed from him.”

He added: “He was a kind man, he was a humane man and he was a fair man. He was liked and admired in good measure by his judicial colleagues.

“Away from this place he was a keen gardener and cordon bleu chef. On this very sad occasion we all extend our sincere condolences to his wife and family.”

Cairns Nelson QC, responding on behalf of the Kent Bar, described Judge Balston as “the most popular judge by a country mile” and joked that he came from the French school of judging - ferme la bouche.

“He listened and said virtually nothing throughout a trial,” said Mr Nelson. “The only time he became tense was when a witness was to be called after 3.30pm. If a case was weak, he would say so.”

Mr Nelson said on one occasion Judge Balston served Champagne in his chambers after a case.

“Barristers adored him,” he added.