Tributes have been paid at Douglas courthouse to the island’s first full-time Deputy High Bailiff, who passed away last week.

John Weldon Williams, known as Weldon, lived in Douglas and died at Noble’s Hospital aged 90 on September 25.

He was married to Gladys and had two daughters, Bethan and Sian.

He was described by current High Bailiff John Needham in a tribute, as a ’proud Welshman’.

Mr Williams was appointed as the island’s first full-time Deputy High Bailiff on December 12, 1977, and served 10 years in that role.

He then became High Bailiff on January 6, 1988, after the former High Bailiff Henry Callow was elevated to Second Deemster. Mr Williams served as High Bailiff for seven years until he retired on January 31, 1995.

Current High Bailiff John Needham joined magistrates before court began at Douglas courthouse on Thursday to pay tribute in front of gathered advocates.

Mr Needham said that, although he had not known Mr Williams in a professional capacity, he had met him socially and described him as a ’kindly and gentle man’.

In his tribute, Mr Needham said: ’Perhaps there should be no surprise as to High Bailiff Williams’ judicial approach, combining exacting standards and attention to detail, bearing in mind the skills he brought to bear from his previous professional experience.

’His meticulosity came from the discipline of being a statutory draughtsman within the Attorney General’s Chambers in the Isle of Man where he was very highly regarded and his ability to keep order and administer summary justice came from his experience as a resident magistrate in British colonial territory that then existed in Africa in Africa.

’A perusal of Manx law reports covering the years when High Bailiff Williams was in office show that he certainly left his mark on Manx jurisprudence. In particular, his tenure covered the general developments in road traffic law brought about by the greater recognition of the need to curb drink-driving and the intricacies of disqualification.

’A judicial colleague who remembers High Bailiff Williams well recalls the particular care and rigorous internal judicial questioning that High Bailiff Williams applied in reaching decisions on delicately balanced matters. He was not quick to judge and went to great pains to reach the just decision.’

Mr Needham went on to say that a former police prosecutor had told him that Mr Williams was ’exacting in his expectations but also recognised the short-comings of those appearing before him who were not legally qualified and was sympathetic to their difficulties.’