Tributes have been paid to a former Maidstone Crown Court judge who died last week after collapsing with a heart attack.

Judge David Croft, QC, at 6ft 7in tall an imposing figure in court two for almost 20 years, suffered a serious head injury when he fell at his home in Rochester.

The Kent Air Ambulance attended, landing in the grounds of nearby Rochester Castle.

The retired judge’s wife Susan and two sons were at court to hear the tributes. Resident Judge Andrew Patience, QC, said the sudden death was “shocking and saddening”.

Judge Croft, who was 72, often spoke of the support he received from his wife.

“Without her support, he told us most memorably, he would be laying in the gutter and he didn’t think he would be looking up at the stars.”

Judge Patience quoted humorous anecdotes of “conscious and unconscious humour”.

On one occasion, Judge Croft asked barrister Adele Williams, now a judge at Canterbury, as she applied for bail on behalf of a hypnotist: “Why are you staring at me?”

Judge Patience said his former colleague “had a commanding physical presence and a personality which matched his considerable stature”.

“We were fortunate to have in Kent a robust and forthright judge who was fearlessly independent and very much his own man. That is indeed how we will always remember him.”