Ex Carlisle Judge Paul Batty KC, family man, story-teller, fisherman

Judge Paul Batty KC rose to become the city’s most senior 'resident' judge, playing a key role in the life of this county, dispensing justice with compassion to offenders and at times formally commending our have-a-go heroes.

Straight-talking, meticulous, and tough, he was a judge who knew his trade, though he  always practised it with humanity and – despite the gravity of the issues he faced – often with sparkling humour.

Born on June 13, 1953, in Stockton-on-Tees, he was the son of a police officer and a teacher. While he was still at school, his father – by then promoted to the rank of inspector - completed a law degree at home.

That may have inspired the young Paul Batty, an intelligent student who enrolled at Newcastle University to study law also.

A career in law was in most definitely in prospect – but first came a coveted summer job with the Daily Mirror, taking on the paper’s once famous role of posing as the fictional “Chalky White”. His weekly task was simple: to walk famous promenades, at Scarborough, Bridlington, or Weston-Super-Mare.

Readers who recognised him were invited to tap him on the shoulder and claim their prize, the sum of £10. It was Paul Batty’s dream job.

After graduating, he settled on a career as a barrister, being called to the Bar in 1975. Thus began his long and illustrious career, which took off quickly as colleagues recognised his talent as an advocate.

It was serious work, but Paul Batty’s humour at times surfaced brilliantly in his work in the courtoom. In one trial, he was cross-examining an alleged thief, caught at 5 am beside a cut chain-link fence at the local pit.

The suspect had a sack a particularly expensive kind of coal in an National Coal Board sack over the handlebars of his bike. In cross-examination, Paul asked the defendant: "So you told the jury this was a present for your girlfriend?"

"Yes, that's right," replied the man.

Paul then asked, "So, it comes to this does it: some people say it with chocolates, some people say it with flowers, and you say it with a bag of nutty slack at 5 o'clock in the morning?"

Paul Batty was the first to start laughing, and then the defendant joined in. Then the jury lost it – and then the judge. The trial was paused for 15 minutes to allow a more sober mood could return.

It was a typical Batty moment.

Yet another story – told by the Recorder of York Judge Sean Morris as colleagues gathered last month to pay tribute to Judge Batty – showed his unflappable nature.

“He once had a very difficult, thuggish client and the jury convicted him, despite Paul's efforts,” said Judge Morris. “Afterwards the man threatened Paul that when he got out he was coming for him.

“He said: ‘You see this, Mr Batty? (showing Paul his right hand knuckles) it says Psycho' and I'm coming for you.’ And Paul replied, "Well, I have some bad news for you; it actually says 'Pisco.'"  The man had tattooed himself.

Paul Batty KC became an Assistant Recorder in 1991 and a Recorder in 1994, taking silk the following year. This led to him working across the court system’s Northern Circuit.

As a former pupil of Carlisle’s Austin Friars School, Judge Batty QC knew – and loved – the city so it must have seemed a natural step to become a full-time judge at the city’s Crown Court in 2007.

He stayed until 2015, leaving such a positive impression that in 2016, he was made a Freeman of the City, a title last bestowed 20 years earlier. His comment at the time was typical of his ever-present humour as he speculated about the potential legal benefits of his newly acquired status.

“I should have a flock of Herdwick sheep that I could drive down Botchergate, although perhaps not on a Saturday night,” he said. “I’m also told that a freeman doesn’t have to pay tolls, so perhaps the next parking ticket I receive will be returned.”

His time as a judge in Carlisle gave him a public platform, allowing him to highlight issues of vital public importance – including the ever-present scourge of illicit drugs and how they destroyed lives and communities.

Judge Paul Batty KC was a hugely popular resident judge in Carlisle before his move to York in 2015. (Image: Newsquest)

He also used his role to condemn racism whenever it featured in prosecutions. In one troubling case in 2013, Judge Batty handed out more than 15 years in jail time to an 11-strong mob who had yelled racist abuse in Botchergate.

He told the defendants: “You were acting as a vain racist mob, shrieking, and shouting racist abuse for no reason whatsoever.

“You were fuelled by drink and it is perfectly clear from your demeanour as shown by the CCTV that you were completely and utterly out of control and you humiliated those Turkish men who were performing a public duty in that takeaway outlet, screaming at them, terrorising them.

“Racism must not be allowed to flourish in this city. I have said in the past that severe sentences will follow for anyone convicted of such behaviour.

“It will simply not in the city of Carlisle be tolerated and deterrent sentences will follow for such behaviour.” As his time in the city drew to a close, Judge Batty gave an interview to The Cumberland News.

He spoke of his work, and also of his other passion in life – fishing. He explained: "When I cast off the mooring ropes, I cast off all the troubles and cares and out to sea I go."

After leaving Carlisle, Judge Batty became Resident Judge at York. Appointed to the prestigious role of Recorder of York, he also began sitting in the Court of Appeal - yet more recognition of his professional abilities. 

But on May 6, 2018, his life changed dramatically following a terrible fall at home.

As he lay gravely ill in intensive care, his family, friends, and colleagues feared the worst – so much so that the last rites were administered.  But thanks to expert care, loving support, and his iron will, he pulled through, though paralysed for life.

Judge Morris recounted what happened as Judge Batty lay in hospital, gravely ill.

“He came round at one point, because he was drifting in and out, and he thought he must have passed over into heaven and gone through the Pearly Gates, because at the foot of his bed in full episcopal regalia was an Archbishop.

“In was, in fact, John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York, who on hearing of Paul's plight came straight from an engagement in full regalia, marched into the hospital and demanded to see him.

“They had become good friends, the Archbishop staying over in Allerthorpe, sitting in Paul's study late into the night where the Archbishop would regale Paul with his stories of when he too was an advocate, but at the High Court in Uganda, and of course his brief time as a judge before the Church called him.”

The accident was a life-changing event for Judge Batty’s entire family.

Judge Morris said: "He loved his two grandchildren, Agnes and Edith, with all his heart. When the end came, from a rapid infection, Angela and Sarah were both at his side and he passed away gently.

“We are here not to weep but to celebrate his life. A bon viveur, a raconteur, a faithful friend, and a hugely admired judge. Above all, a man of the sea. The calibre of those assembled here today reflects the esteem in which he was held.”

Another of his friends, businessman Jamie Martin OBE, who shared his friend’s love of the sea and fishing, summed him up thus: “Paul had an ability to puncture pomposity. He had an ability to get on with anyone, from humble fishermen to boat-builders to archbishops and (the judiciary).

“He took his responsibilities seriously, but he wore them lightly. He enjoyed life, good food, good wine and good company. He was mischievous fun, he was loyal and he was a good friend.”

Judge Batty, who passed away last month at the age of 69, is survived by his wife, Angela, their daughter, Sarah, and two grandchildren.