But Judge Alice Robinson has now presided over her last case at the city's honorary recorder and is looking forward the new opportunities retirement might afford her in the fine city she has come to call home.

Reflecting on her time as Norwich's resident judge, the 66-year-old mother of two said it had been a "huge privilege".

Judge Alice Robinson (Image: Newsquest)

"I've really enjoyed it," she said.

"Everyone has been really supportive."

She included the other judges in that as well as court staff among those who have helped her while she has been in Norwich.

Judge Robinson - who succeeded the city's previous resident, Judge Stephen Holt in July 2021 - is leaving behind the criminal justice system at a time of great uncertainty.

Judge Stephen Holt (Image: Newsquest)

There are question marks of the future of jury trials - with proposals to scrap them for crimes carrying sentences of three years or less.

The controversial plans come in the face of a deepening national criminal case backlog resulting from the coronavirus pandemic and exacerbated by the 2022 barrister strikes.

Criminal barristers staged a series of strikes in 2022 in a row over legal aid funding (Image: PA)

But despite the apparent public apathy towards the criminal justice system nationally, Judge Robinson has been keen to help ensure that system relates to the public, in Norfolk at least.

She was the........

© Norwich Evening News