TRIBUTES have been paid to a senior Suffolk prosecutor who was found hanged.Married James Terry, 48, who was regarded as the senior prosecutor in the north-east of the county, was found dead on Tuesday morning.
TRIBUTES have been paid to a senior Suffolk prosecutor who was found hanged.
Married James Terry, 48, who was regarded as the senior prosecutor in the north-east of the county, was found dead on Tuesday morning.
An inquest opening in Lowestoft on Thursday heard that the cause of Mr Terry's death was hanging.
It is believed he was found in the garage of his home at The Old Post Office, The Street, Brundish, near Eye.
A spokesman for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) yesterday expressed “great sadness” at the news of Mr Terry's death.
“James made a substantial contribution to the criminal justice system and served the people of Suffolk in accordance with the highest standards of his profession and the service throughout his career,” he said.
“His advice was always highly regarded by the police and he was greatly respected by the legal community.
“His loss has come as a great shock and he will be sorely missed by his friends and colleagues. Our thoughts are with James's family at this difficult time.”
Mr Terry was called to the Bar in 1981 after a short period working as a court clerk.
He moved to Suffolk in 1985 and joined the County Prosecuting Solicitors' Department.
In 1986, at the inception of the Crown Prosecution Service, he became a Crown prosecutor.
Although he prosecuted cases throughout the county, he spent many years appearing in Sudbury and then Lowestoft Magistrates' Court.
Mr Terry had not been seen at the Lowestoft court for more than a week through ill-health.
Ivan Whomes, a senior clerk to the magistrates at the Lowestoft court, said: “Mr Terry's time with us was always characterised by a very fair-minded approach.
“He was approachable by the defence and all other court staff, with a sense of humour and an extremely pleasant man to be working alongside.
“He was very much respected by magistrates and staff as well as other court users. He will be a great loss to the court at Lowestoft. There is no doubt about that.”
A full inquest into Mr Terry's death will be held at Lowestoft on July 29.
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