A magistrate has been issued with formal advice for misconduct after he was found to have referred to his status when he appeared in court for a speeding offence.
Robert Gonouya, from the Nottinghamshire bench, appeared in Nottingham Magistrates Court in July 2023 in relation to a speeding offence. He did not inform his bench chair about the court proceedings.
While in court, Gonouya referred to ‘his JP status by saying he was a magistrate and was on his way to court when the speeding offence occurred’.
The Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO) said: ‘Magistrates sign a declaration and undertaking on appointment agreeing to inform their bench chair of any involvement they have in impending court proceedings. Magistrates are also advised to avoid personal reference to their position as a magistrate in circumstances where it could be perceived as an attempt to influence or again advantage.’
Gonouya apologised for not informing his bench chair and ‘explained that he intended to do so after the case had concluded’.
The JCIO said: ‘[Gonouya] mentioned his status as a magistrate in order to explain the circumstances behind the offence and not to gain any favour.’
Following an investigation, a conduct panel found Gonouya had breached the ‘declaration and undertaking and that his actions amounted to misconduct’.
The JCIO said: ‘In recommending formal advice, the panel considered that Mr Gonouya had acted naïvely but had learnt from his mistakes and was unlikely to repeat them.'
