John Bache, a former accident and emergency consultant, has been a magistrate for 31 years — 20 while working full-time as a doctor. For his final three years in office, he chaired the Magistrates Association, the charity and independent voice of the magistracy.

The retired doctor’s desire to try to help children in trouble was clear during his time as a Youth Court magistrate in South Cheshire. In an interview conducted in 2012, he stated that it was his enthusiasm for working with children that drew him to involvement with youth custody in general and to his role as chair of the youth courts committee at the association.

Forced to step down from the "bench" last year when he reached the age of 70, John fought keenly for reform of this outdated age rule, but to no avail as yet.