Manchester's most senior judge led moving tributes following the deaths of two barristers and a court usher during a period of 'great sadness' for the city's legal circuit. Paul Dockery, a barrister for 50 years who also acted as a legal advisor for both Coronation Street and Hollyoaks, passed away following a stroke last month aged 73.
The city's circuit has also been rocked by the deaths of Nicola Gatto, a barrister of 25 years, and court usher Donna Taylor, who worked at Manchester Crown Court for more than 15 years. Both were aged in their mid 50s at the time of their sad passing.
"These last few weeks have brought great sadness to this court," said Judge Nicholas Dean KC, the Honorary Recorder of Manchester, at a packed Manchester Crown Court eulogy for Mr Dockery. The building's largest courtroom, the new 'super courtroom', was packed with more than a dozen crown court judges, two former Honorary Recorders of Manchester, Sir Rhys Davies KC and David Stockdale KC, as well as retired judges David Hernandez, Martin Rudland and Martin Steiger KC. Court staff and barristers also paid their respects.
