'I've loved every minute of it'

Judges pay tribute as city court clerk Sue retires 'at the peak of her powers'

- Jon Bamber

VETERAN court clerk Sue Houson has hung up her gown after more than four decades.

The 62-year-old described herself as a 'naive' 18-year-old when she started working for the civil and county courts in 1981. But when the courts amalgamated she became a clerk in the criminal courts, a job she has enjoyed for the last 29 years. The highlight of her career happened a few years ago when she was the clerk in the first murder trial at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.

Sue, of Oakhill, said: "When the courts amalgamated I got the chance to go into clerking. I have thoroughly enjoyed it. I have had really good colleagues. I could not have done it without them. I have had some strong relationships with the judges as well. The cases you tend to remember most are the most horrible ones. I clerked on a murder trial a few years ago.

"That was the first time I sat on a murder as all the murders have usually gone to Stafford Crown Court. Being a clerk in the criminal courts is much more interesting than doing civil cases. I have seen young barristers go on to become judges."