A FAMILIAR face at the IW Magistrates' Court — legal adviser Lucy Gullen has stepped down after 28 years.

Lucy, who has been in the role since leaving school, will pursue a career with the Crown Prosecution Service.

After completing her A-levels, Lucy started work at the Magistrates' Court, which at the time was based at the Guildhall in Newport, and comprised three courtrooms.

She was sent to Nottingham a few weeks at a time in-between work to complete a diploma in Magisterial Law, went on to achieve her law degree, and continued on to complete her solicitors' files.

She said: "I qualified as a sort of trainee legal advisor after about a year, then I sat and shadowed for a long time ­— learned all the admin roles, and then I was left to fly solo.

"I've been doing that since I was 19.

"It was really hard to say goodbye, because it's such a lovely group of people. The magistrates are warm, caring and compassionate, and that's what you really want.

"You get some difficult cases, and you have to make some very difficult decisions, but I've always found the magistrates to be very balanced, and thoughtful and measured.

"We have a great group of solicitors, but over the years the number of people appearing regularly has really dwindled.

"When I started, there were multiple firms that covered criminal law, and now that's a very small number.

"Even the best people will get into trouble in some way, and they need a little help when they do, and it's not always easily accessible.

"I read the press reports about the cases, and sometimes you read the comments of the public and feel a little disheartened.

"But it's an open court, so everybody can come in and watch.

"When you read reports, it is a snapshot of what happened in the hearing.

"I recommend people come in and watch, and really see w hat goes on, and get a real idea of what we do.

"The new job is going back to law ­— focusing on fraud cases ­— it's just pure law, really, which for me, will be a nice change."

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