Bradford barrister is promoted to be a judge (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Bradford barrister is promoted to be a judge

9:00am Saturday 12th January 2013 in News By Steve Wright, Crime Reporter

A top Bradford-based barrister is looking forward to a new challenge after being appointed a full-time judge.

Richard Mansell (right) QC, who joined the Broadway House legal chambers in Bradford last year, will sit as a Circuit Judge on the Northern Circuit, based at Manchester Crown Square Court.

He will be sworn in next Friday and will begin sitting the following Monday.

Mr Mansell, 44, who lives with his barrister wife Michelle Colborne QC and their three children in the Skipton area, was based at chambers in Leeds before moving to Broadway House.

He has worked regularly at Bradford Crown Court and has also sat there as a Recorder, a part-time judge, following his appointment to that role eight years ago.

Mr Mansell told the Telegraph & Argus: “My long-term aspirations were to try the heavyweight criminal cases and now I am going to have the chance to do that on a regular basis. It is a court centre that deals with serious crime and I consider it perfect timing to start that part of my career.”

Ironically, the opening at Manchester arrived when the new Recorder of Bradford, Judge Roger Thomas QC, left that post to come to Bradford.

Mr Mansell said he would be sorry to leave Bradford and it was a wrench to say goodbye to those in chambers and others he had worked with around Bradford and Leeds for many years.

But he said: “I am really excited about the move and relishing the challenge.”

Last year Mr Mansell prosecuted the case of Duane Bellamy, who was jailed indefinitely for the street killing in Keighley of Jason Seed.

And, sitting as a Recorder, Mr Mansell jailed psychopathic torturer Mark Whitteron, of Holme Wood, for 11 years for inflicting six years of “living hell” on a vulnerable man.

Mr Mansell, who was made a Queen’s Counsel in 2009, is a keen football fan and has regularly watched Bradford City in recent years.

But he admitted: “I am a lifelong Aston Villa fan and I was at Valley Parade the other night.

“I have had my leg pulled ever since.”