New senior judge for Preston is announced

Judge Robert Altham, 54, succeeds Judge Mark Brown, who retired from the post in July.

The tradition of having a recorder dates back to 1662 when King Charles II granted a charter which made a provision for the appointment of a “judge of the town”, who should “solicit and obtain confirmation in the office from the King, his heirs and successors” - all for the princely salary of 105 guineas.

While the official post ceased in 1971, Preston City Council has continued the tradition by appointing Honorary Recorders.

The title of Honorary Recorder is intended to mark the link between the administration and judiciary.

The unpaid role is a purely civic and ceremonial one, which carries no formal duties or powers, though the functions of an Honorary Recorder include attending civic functions, and inviting members of the Council to attend judicial events.

It is an important link between the council, the people and the courts.

Judge Altham, who is Lancashire born, was called to the Bar in 1993.

He was then appointed as a Recorder in 2008 and as a Circuit Judge in 2011, before becoming the county’s resident judge in July.

Judge Altham has conducted a plethora of high profile cases in the city, including the murder of vulnerable Preston dad Steven May, who was killed by his lodger Darren Taylor, and the manslaughter of Blackpool grandmother Marlene McCabe, who was killed by her grandson Conor Clarkson.

He also presided over the sentencing of driver Mohmed Salman Patel, 26, who was jailed for six years for causing the deaths of Rachel Murphy, 23 and Shelby Maher, 17, on Brockholes Brow.”