Magistrate who shouted at court staff issued with formal warning for misconduct

A magistrate has been issued with a formal warning for misconduct after he ‘ranted loudly’ at a member of court staff. 

Don Wicks apologised to the staff member at the time and said his actions ‘were borne out of frustration’.

A spokesperson for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said: ‘The Guide to Judicial Conduct 2023 states that office holders should seek to be courteous, patient, tolerant and should respect the dignity of all. Magistrates should be circumspect in their conduct and maintain the dignity, standing and good reputation of the magistracy at all times.’

An investigation was carried out following a report that Wicks had shouted at the court staff on two separate occasions and had failed to engage with his bench chair to discuss the matter.

Following the investigation, a conduct panel found Wicks had ‘ranted loudly at the staff member in an aggressive manner and had made comments which were considered inappropriate and threatening’. It did not make a finding of misconduct in relation to the allegation he had failed to engage with his bench chair.

The JCIO said: ‘In his representations, Mr Wicks accepted that he had raised his voice towards the staff member on both occasions but that his actions were borne out of frustration. He apologised to the staff member at the time.’