The judge who inspired the successful campaign for tougher punishments in child cruelty cases has retired after an illustrious 50-year legal career.

His Honour Judge Philip Statman left the Bench at Maidstone Crown Court for the final time on Friday (March 14), but not before a rallying cry calling for more to be done to tackle the ever-increasing delays, and to express his concern over the future of jury trials.

Tributes from the judiciary, barristers and friends poured in for the 71-year-old who, having been called to the Bar in July 1975, was involved in some of the most serious, significant and impactful cases as a lawyer, and then as a judge from 2002, sitting at Woolwich Crown Court before moving to Kent's combined law centre in Barker Road 20 years ago.

It was there in courtroom two in February 2018 that Judge Statman's bold - and rare - decision to impose the longest prison sentence possible at that time for the offence of causing or allowing serious harm to a child led to the introduction of Tony's Law.

Named after King's Hill double amputee Tony Hudgell whose biological parents were the evil pair jailed by Judge Statman for inflicting multiple injuries on the youngster when he was just six weeks old, the legislation - fought for by Tony's family and which came into force in 2022 - increased the penalty for future offenders from 10 years to 14 years.

It also introduced a new maximum sentence of life imprisonment - up from just 14 years - for those convicted of causing or allowing death to a child.

Tony, now 10, and his adoptive mum Paula were among those invited to a packed valedictory ceremony held to mark the judge's departure.

By coincidence, it was experiencing cruelty himself as a child in the shape of prejudice that propelled a young Philip Statman into the world of law.

"At a very early age I knew the difference between right and wrong, and when I did wrong I always knew the sentence imposed on me would reflect every aspect of my mitigation," he explained.

"By the age of eight I had been introduced to antisemitism. This lit a fire in me which still burns.

"From the moment I was called a 'dirty Jew boy' in the playground, I knew I wanted to be a lawyer."

Growing up in a humble family surrounded by unconditional love, warmth and security, he attended Westcliff-on-Sea High School for Boys in Essex before graduating from Mid Essex Technical College.

A move to London led to the start of his long and successful law career, learning not just from great legal minds such as Rock Tansey KC, but also a secondment to Durham Mechanics during the Miners' Strike in the mid-80s.

Then there was his legal encounter with Elizabeth Hurley in 1995 while defending a 17-year-old girl accused of being one of four teens who robbed the model and actress of £10 at knifepoint.

Highlighting the "diametrically opposed" lives led by the accused and accuser, he told the jury that although events had brought them together "rather like the Princess and the Pauper", they were in court "equal before the law".

It was this sense of fairness and equality that made Judge Statman stand out in the way he dealt with all those who appeared in his court.

As one clerk acknowledged, he showed "a real interest in people", and wanted those who came before him to "succeed, improve and rehabilitate".

It was also noted that Tony's Law was not the first time Judge Statman played a part in helping the legal system change for the better.

In 1986 he was among the barristers defending the three accused in the notorious Ealing Vicarage rape trial.

Although convicted, there was political and public outcry at the punishments handed down by the judge, which included a longer jail term for the man convicted of burglary than those guilty of rape.

This led to the introduction three years later of the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme as well as the closing of a legal loophole which allowed media identification of a rape victim before the suspect was charged.

Paying tribute to all his achievements during a "fascinating, rewarding and worthwhile career", Maidstone's resident judge, Judge Julian Smith said: "He has been involved in a number of high profile and significant cases which were so important to him and in which he has made a difference.

"He was involved in changing the law as a judge at Maidstone, just as he was at the Bar.

"Tony Hudgell is not just a boy who means a great deal to Judge Statman but also someone for whom Judge Statman is full of admiration," said Judge Smith.

"He provided the impetus to increase the maximum sentence and it was important to him to have been a part of that."

But he added that Judge Statman, the second longest serving circuit judge in the country, was "too humble and self-effacing" to talk of his achievements.

Wishing him well for his retirement and plans to visit Australia, South Korea and Japan, Judge Smith said: "He has earned it and it will be wonderful. He has so much to do and every opportunity to do it."

Others paying tribute included long-standing friend and colleague, Jeremy Dein KC, fellow Maidstone judge Philip St.John-Stevens, and barrister Danny Moore on behalf of the Kent Bar Mess.

Mr Dein remarked on the qualities that had made Judge Statman "one of the finest judges of our generation and one of the nicest guys anyone could wish to meet".

"You believed so strongly in your client's cause, you were so committed to getting the right result, you cared so much, not just about the client but the client's family and about justice being done," he said.

"The verdict in your case is, of course, unanimous. You leave the legal profession and the Bench revered for all you have done, contributed and achieved in the world of criminal justice."

Judge St.John-Stevens and Mr Moore turned to football-themed praise for the avid Tottenham Hotspurs fan, with one declaring him a "GOAT - greatest of all time" and the latter hailing him as "one of our own".

"Judge Statman is a great lawyer because he draws from his innate and overriding qualities of compassion, empathy and kindness when he applies the law....It simply shines out from under his robes," said Judge St.John-Stevens.

Mr Moore also took the opportunity to remind Judge Statman of the time he made national headlines when he expressed his shock at the price of a stolen sausage roll, as well as his impeccable handling of one of the first trials in the country to get underway amid strict Covid rules.

“This remains the best job in the world but it is not the job I came to in 2002, nor should it be…”

"As you now prepare to step away from the Bench, we not only reflect on your expert judicial decisions and amazing range of cases but also your profound kindness and grace," said Mr Moore.

"You have been much more than just a judge - a steady hand and source of compassion, fairness, empathy and unwavering professionalism. You will be missed by us."

Watched by his two sons - one in court and one on remote link from Australia - Judge Statman credited their mother, his late wife Mary, with the decision to move from Woolwich Crown Court to Maidstone - it being closer to home and closer to fatherly duties such as changing nappies.

Taking time to reflect on his life in the criminal courts and to thank all those he had shared it with, in particular his '"extended family" at Maidstone who had put up with his "rants and raised eyebrows", Judge Statman pondered the reason he had not chosen to wait until he was 75 to retire.

Quoting the legendary Bob Dylan, he said: "This remains the best job in the world but it is not the job I came to in 2002, nor should it be.

"As Bob Dylan said, better get out the new world if you can't lend a hand for the times they are a-changin'."

Highlighting the impact of delays on all, and suggesting retired judges offer their services pro bono in the way retired GPs helped out during the pandemic, he continued: "We need more judges, we need more criminal barristers, and we need more sitting days. I challenge anyone to put their hand up in this courtroom and tell me I am wrong.

"Try explaining the position to grieving families in death by dangerous driving cases, murder cases and in cases involving sexual abuse.

"Delays in fixing trials is a burden which, I confess, I have found hard to carry.

"But one thing I know for sure, our current difficulties should not be placed at the doors of either the Bar or the Bench."

Lamenting the workload faced by many in courts throughout England and Wales, he described how in his final 10 days he had presided over 100 cases, many with mental health issues to be considered and in-depth reports to be read.

"Age takes it toll as I have learnt. I did not come to this job to be an administrator. Judges don't fill the roles of case progression officers," he said.

"Every hour spent on administration is an hour away from judge craft, from getting it right for all those coming before the court to seek justice."

Thanking the thousands who had sat as jurors in his courtroom, Judge Statman continued: "Jury trial is the jewel in the crown of the criminal justice system.

"Those who feel that trial by judge and two magistrates can replace or potentially replace jury trials as a potential answer to the backlog should think very carefully as to where this might lead.

"Rights took centuries to earn but they can be brushed away at a stroke. Let justice be done in the courtroom with all those concerned being present.

"Then we will return to the gold standard which is the envy of the world as a whole."

Of his own achievements he concluded: "I hope one day to be able to walk to the end of Southend Pier accompanied by my sons.

"I cannot express to my children my deep sense of love for them. It is more than they will ever know.

"But at the end of my walk on that pier, it might just be possible that I will feel able to turn around to look back and to admire the view."

It was a speech met with rapturous applause - an unusual reaction in the usually austere surroundings. Yet it was a fitting end for a judge who, as many had acknowledged, made a difference.