He may, with his bench colleagues, have jailed many people over the years, but one of the fondest recollections Alan Sheppard has of his time as a magistrate is the letter he received from someone he had sent down for six months.
The grateful criminal had penned him a letter saying: “Thank you for sending me to jail. I am now learning to read and write.”
The 69-year-old who lives in Maidstone with his wife May has built up many memories after 37 years as a magistrate. A butcher by trade, it was a colleague who suggested he apply to join the bench in 1976.
He went on to be chairman of the family panel for four years and was a member of the Lord Chancellor’s advisory committee for 12 years, including time as chair of the sub committee. He was also chairman of the Mid-Kent bench for five years and has been an active member of the magistrates’ court committee.
He said: “Because I have done 37 years I have seen so many changes and so much interference by successive governments who think they are doing something new but are infact just reinventing the wheel. – things we used to do 30 years ago are coming back.
“I am pleased that I have served the county of Kent and town of Maidstone all these years but it is time for fresher, new thinking.”
The thank you letter was one example of a satisfied customer, but he remembers another where he heard one jailed man had gone on to get married, have a family and move to the West Country, where he did not reoffend.
He added: “It’s not all about hanging and flogging, it is about trying to rehabilitate and where possible reform hardened criminals. We try our best.”
The father of one son, who also has one grandson, was presented with a gift and certificate on Wednesday by Lynda Jones, chairman of the Central Kent Magistrates’ bench – before heading back into court, as his last day is on Friday, also his 70th birthday.
Making the presentation at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court in Palace Avenue, Mrs Jones said: “Your experience and gentle manner will be greatly missed and I am sure all your colleagues will join me in wishing you all the very best for your retirement.”
He plans three months of relaxation, before seeing if there is another community-related post he could do.