Judges and court staff gathered to pay tribute to a much-loved reporter.

KM Group journalist Paul Hooper filed his final report last Friday after 12 years with the company.

During that time, he became a fixture at Canterbury Crown Court and Maidstone Crown Court – becoming popular with judges, barristers and canteen staff alike.

The special send-off was organised by Maidstone court staff in his honour.

First to speak was Judge Julian Smith who explained how he and Paul shared a home county in Durham.

He reminisced how they would watch Maidstone United together.

He said: “He is a man of strong beliefs and opinions but always reported with accuracy.

“He is very funny and great company and like all of you I’m sure, I like to think of Paul as a friend.

“You have been a fantastic reporter in Canterbury and now in Maidstone. It is a farewell to your work but hopefully not to your friendship.”

Fellow judge Oliver Saxby was next to speak, saying: “Genial, popular, witty, one of the top journalists of his generation and a local legend.

“Paul is very loyal. I was proud to have known him and it was never a dull moment in his company.”

He gifted him a dressing gown with the Manchester United badge on it.

On behalf of the barristers, Craig Evans was next to speak.

He spoke fondly of Paul’s presence in the courtroom and expressed gratitude, saying he worked effectively, diligently and accurately in a way that was engaging and professional.

He highlighted a 2015 case where counsel-turned-sleuth, Edmund Fowler, tracked down a conman who had targeted his mother in a supermarket car park scam.

Mr Evans said: “It will be surreal when Paul isn’t sitting in one of these courts, He has become a reassuring presence.”

Finally, Paul addressed the assembled guests saying a few words of thanks and appreciation to all the staff for making him feel welcome and part of the team.

For 50 years, he wrote the stories of people’s lives, having previously worked at The Sun and Daily Mirror.

He took a brief hiatus from journalism to write speeches for then Prime Minister John Major in the 1990s.