Court packed to honour ‘force of nature’ barrister

TRIBUTES have been paid to a leading barrister who died suddenly.

- JASON EVANS

The body of James Hartson, brother of former Wales international footballer John Hartson, was found at a house in Swansea on February 5.

Hearings at Swansea Crown Court were suspended that day as news of his death reached the court.

An inquest into the death of the 53-year-old opened this week. Police have confirmed his death is not being treated as suspicious.

Dozens of barristers along with judges, solicitors, probation officers, and court staff packed into court one at Swansea Crown Court yesterday for a eulogy for Mr Hartson, with more than 100 other people attending the gathering via videolink.

The court heard Mr Hartson went to London at the age of 17 to join the Met Police and passed out top of his class at Hendon training college.

He went on to be promoted to sergeant and then inspector and spent time in Scotland Yard and Special Branch.

He was a qualified firearms officer and worked in close protection duties for anumber of home secretaries.