Worcester judge who jailed Gary Glitter dies

His Honour Judge Alistair McCreath, former Honorary Recorder of Worcester and Recorder of Westminster, died on Sunday following a short illness. 

MISSED: Judge Alistair McCreath

The 73-year-old jailed Glitter for 16 years but was also known for championing the education of judges, promoting the use of the latest computer technology by the courts and for helping the next generation of young lawyers. 

Born in Ayr in Scotland and raised in the town of Troon, he is survived by his wife Julia, daughter of Anthony Clark who co-founded Harrison Clark solicitors, daughter Isobel, son James, and two grandchildren, Alexander, five, and Thomas, two. 
He had lived in Worcestershire since 1976, became a barrister in the early 70s and was appointed as a circuit judge in 1996.

CONTRIBUTION: Alistair McCreath as High Master of the Worcester Clothiers

Judge James Burbidge QC, the Honorary of Recorder of Worcester, was joined by Judge Nicolas Cartwright and Judge Nicolas Cole and city barristers to pay tribute at Worcester Crown Court on Monday.

Judge Burbidge said: "It is with great sadness that we learned of the death of HH Alistair McCreath. He was a former Honorary Recorder of Worcester (indeed I believe the first pursuant to the Courts Act), being the resident judge here until 2011. He was then appointed as a Senior Circuit Judge, the Resident Judge at Southwark, taking the Title of the Recorder of Westminster."

Retiring in 2017, the former judge continued working as an active member of the Parole Board. He was an inaugural member of the Sentencing Council. He was instrument in reviving the position of the Recorder of Worcester in 2007 - a position held in abeyance since 1971. Judge McCreath felt the position strengthened links between the judiciary, the court system and the city. 

Richard Atkins QC, speaking on Monday, described Alistair McCreath's death as both a shock and a sad loss, calling him 'a beast of the Bar' and 'a very good judge' who was 'at the forefront of computer technology'.

Mr Atkins said Judge McCreath jailed Gary Glitter, real name Paul Gadd. "He wasn't in Paul Gadd's gang when he gave him 16 years" said Mr Atkins. Judge McCreath also presided over the case of Tulisa and the Fake Sheik - a trial which ultimately resulted in her acquittal. 

Mr Atkins went on to describe Judge McCreath as a 'a great advocate of training provided by the Judicial College'.

Judge Burbidge said even when Judge McCreath retired as a Circuit Judge he was 'working to the last', latterly for the Parole Board, giving a talk about it to students at the University of Worcester who were studying public protection.

He added: "He was at the Bar in Birmingham in the chambers then known as 6 Fountain

Court and was rightly regarded as one of the best advocates and lawyers of his generation. 

"He was appointed to the Circuit Bench and sat at first at Birmingham Crown Court before coming here. He was always keen on assisting the in the continuing education of judges to carry out their work.

"He had returned to live in Worcester and indeed he and his wife had joined us, the judges, here on the Charter Walk tour of the city to honour the Charter 1621 celebrations.

"Lord Hughes of Ombersley reminded me this morning that Alistair was on characteristically good form when we last saw him, not that long ago, in October, presiding over the Worshipful Company of Worcester Clothiers at the Guildhall as this last year he was High Master of that historic company. He was in typically expansive and cheerful form. 

"Thus his death comes as a very great shock.

"Lord Hughes saw quite a bit of him at Inner Temple where he was for that Inn a great asset and very good at giving encouragement to the young members of the Bar and students who were starting out on their career.
"Lord Hughes states that he always thought of him as a model judge - large reassuring presence, relaxed authority, knew the law perfectly well.
"Our thoughts are with Julia his wife and his family at this extremely sad time."