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Complaints made after judge trades insults with defendant in court Complaints made after judge trades insults with defendant in court
(1 day later)
Complaints have been made against a judge who verbally abused a defendant in a retaliatory exchange after he launched a foul-mouthed tirade at her from the dock, the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO) has said.Complaints have been made against a judge who verbally abused a defendant in a retaliatory exchange after he launched a foul-mouthed tirade at her from the dock, the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO) has said.
Judge Patricia Lynch QC was sentencing John Hennigan at Chelmsford crown court for his ninth breach of an antisocial behaviour order in 11 years when the exchange took place.Judge Patricia Lynch QC was sentencing John Hennigan at Chelmsford crown court for his ninth breach of an antisocial behaviour order in 11 years when the exchange took place.
Lynch’s withering comments came when Hennigan, 50, told her she was “a bit of a cunt”, to which she retorted: “You are a bit of a cunt yourself. Being offensive to me does not help.”Lynch’s withering comments came when Hennigan, 50, told her she was “a bit of a cunt”, to which she retorted: “You are a bit of a cunt yourself. Being offensive to me does not help.”
After Hennigan shouted back “Go fuck yourself”, she replied: “You too.”After Hennigan shouted back “Go fuck yourself”, she replied: “You too.”
A spokesman for the JCIO, which handles complaints made about judges both in and outside court, said today: “The JCIO has received complaints regarding HHJ [Her Honour Judge] Patricia Lynch’s comments in court, which will be considered in accordance with the Judicial Conduct (Judicial and other officer holders) Rules 2014.”A spokesman for the JCIO, which handles complaints made about judges both in and outside court, said today: “The JCIO has received complaints regarding HHJ [Her Honour Judge] Patricia Lynch’s comments in court, which will be considered in accordance with the Judicial Conduct (Judicial and other officer holders) Rules 2014.”
The spokesman said the JCIO “never comment on how many complaints have been received”.The spokesman said the JCIO “never comment on how many complaints have been received”.
Related: It’s easy to cheer the judge who used the C-word. But we shouldn’t | Simon Jenkins
During his court appearance, at the end of which he was jailed for 18 months for insulting and using racist language towards a black woman, Hennigan reportedly also shouted “Sieg Heil” and banged the glass panel of the dock.During his court appearance, at the end of which he was jailed for 18 months for insulting and using racist language towards a black woman, Hennigan reportedly also shouted “Sieg Heil” and banged the glass panel of the dock.
The exchange attracted much attention on social media, with many praising Lynch as a hero. Stan Keaton tweeted: “Judge Patricia Lynch QC has a cracking reply to a racist thug in her courtroom.” Others hailed her as a “legend” and a role model for children.The exchange attracted much attention on social media, with many praising Lynch as a hero. Stan Keaton tweeted: “Judge Patricia Lynch QC has a cracking reply to a racist thug in her courtroom.” Others hailed her as a “legend” and a role model for children.
Hennigan, of Harlow, Essex, has dozens of previous convictions for offences including drug and firearm possession and common assault.Hennigan, of Harlow, Essex, has dozens of previous convictions for offences including drug and firearm possession and common assault.
An antisocial behaviour order was previously imposed on him in 2005, when a swastika was discovered daubed on the front door of his council house.An antisocial behaviour order was previously imposed on him in 2005, when a swastika was discovered daubed on the front door of his council house.
He has appeared in court for racially abusing a newsagent and for making Nazi salutes at a pub in London; he claimed he had only been raising his arm to collect his change after paying for a drink.He has appeared in court for racially abusing a newsagent and for making Nazi salutes at a pub in London; he claimed he had only been raising his arm to collect his change after paying for a drink.