YORK Crown Court and the legal profession have paid tribute to a former youth hostel manager who has ensured thousands of witnesses got the best possible care for their court appearance.

Jim Pewtress has retired after heading the team of volunteers from Victim Support at York Crown and York Magistrates Court for 12 years, part of which time he also worked at other courts in North Yorkshire.

But now Jim, aged 60, is headed for the wilds of the North Yorks Moors near his home where he will devote his time to his passion for natural history as well as his other interests.

“I feel sad in many ways and then I feel you have got to give time to your family,” he said as he prepared to leave the courts for the last time.

“There are things to do which want to do while still being able to do that.”

The staff of York Crown Court gathered in Courtroom One together with barristers, others involved in the criminal justice system and friends of Mr Pewtress to hear the Recorder of York, Judge Stephen Ashurst, praise his “valuable” work dispensed with “great good humour”. The judge said he personally had had “very great pleasure working with Jim”.

“Jim, we wish you the very best in your retirement,” he said, adding that the gathering in court showed the general appreciation for his work.

David Dixon, speaking on behalf of the Bar, thanked Mr Pewtress for his work with all witnesses, whether for the prosecution or the defence, and referred to the trial then ongoing in which Victim Support had had to help a witness who had posed a particular problem for them.

Mr Pewtress was born in Ancoats, Manchester, and after working at a number of hostels in the North-West moved to North Yorkshire where he was manager of the Helmsley Youth Hostel before taking up the role which became delivery service manager for Victim Support.