Sally Anne Matthews (14363/1)GAZETTE & HERALD: EIGHT new magistrates were sworn in during a special ceremony at Chippenham Magistrates Court on Monday, and now begin a new voluntary career dispensing justice.

The popular image of a magistrate is of a genteel grey-haired male but the newest recruits show the stereotype to be outdated these days all sorts of people from all walks of life join the Bench.

Mother and human resources professional Sally Anne Matthews, 41, from Monkton Park, Chippenham, was one of the fledgling magistrates to be sworn in on Monday a proud occasion for her and her parents.

"It was a very moving ceremony," she said. "We had an inspirational speech from the judge.

"My parents attended and I think they also found it moving, to see their daughter up there taking part."

Chippenham courthouse manager Colin Giles said the swearing in ceremony usually took place once a year.

The other new magistrates were Judith Beeby, Valerie Bensusan, Andrew Brown, Alice Boyd, Geoffrey Findlay, Shirley Crouch and Wendy Johnson.

Judge John McNaught presided at the ceremony and witnessed the swearing of oaths of allegiance.

All of the participants had family and friends to support them in the occasion, which took about 15 minutes and was followed by refreshments and time for conversation.

Mr Giles believed the campaign to attract a wide range of candidates had proved very successful.

"The campaign was particularly vigorous this year," he said.

"Being a magistrate is a big commitment. They will have a short induction course and each will have a mentor. They have five appraisals in the first year but from day one they have equal status."

Ms Matthews, who was born in Wiltshire and has two sons and a step daughter, worked for both Dyson and Orange before setting up her own consultancy. She is also studying for an MSc in Organisation Change and Management Development at Bristol University.

She is also very keen on rugby and her partner Nick is an RFU coach.

She was inspired to become a magistrate after talking to other magistrates when she worked for the Crown Prosecution Service.

"It's a chance for me to give something back to the community," she said.

"It is quite a daunting prospect but I know I won't be on my own, I will be working with experienced magistrates.

"Certainly it's not something I took on lightly, I needed to give it a lot of thought."

Magistrates have to be prepared to give up a minimum of 26 half-days a year to the job and many do much more.

Britain has a unique system of lay people, ordinary members of the public presiding over courts and dealing with most criminal cases. Magistrates do not need formal qualifications, but must be able to listen carefully, think clearly and make fair decisions.

The new recruits will be making judgements on all sorts of crimes from shop-lifting to drug offences, parking fines to pornography.

They receive no pay except expenses.

The experienced magistrates who interview other prospective magistrates are currently looking for more applicants to sit on the bench in north Wiltshire.

For an application form or more information call Janet de Rhe-Philipe on (01225) 713103.

It is also possible to make an appointment to go along to a magistrates court and sit in when an experienced magistrate is on duty.

To organise a visit contact the Chippenham court on (01249) 466204 or Swindon on (01793) 699814.