HAMPSHIRE’S legal community gathered at Winchester Law Courts to say farewell to a much-loved judge.

Guy Boney QC, 69, is retiring more than 45 years after he first joined the Bar.

Around 100 people, including judges, lawyers and court staff crowded into Court 4 with barristers sitting in the dock and others in the jury and press boxes to hear tributes.

Judge Jane Miller QC described Judge Boney as “everyone’s favourite judge.”

Nigel Pascoe QC, speaking on behalf of the barristers on the Western Circuit, said “we are saying farewell to a great judge…who addressed the law as few others can.”

Mr Pascoe praised his exceptional clarity of expression and clear-headed compassionate judgements.

“It has been a pleasure to appear in front of you.”

Mr Boney lives in Stockbridge and is a keen performer with the village amateur dramatic society and a clock collector. Since 1980 he has been the organist at Kings Somborne church. He is also Lord of the Manor at Stockbridge.

He joined the Bar in 1968, became a QC in 1992 and a circuit judge in 2003.

Earlier this year he graced a fashion show catwalk at Winchester law Courts to raise money for the Witness Support Service.

Cases he prosecuted included the armed robbery of a security van at Three Maids Hill near Winchester in 1994, at the time the biggest attempted cash robbery in British history.