His Honour John Hopkin (Castle, 48-53)

We are sorry to announce the sad news that His Honour John Hopkin died on Thursday, 22nd July after a brief fight against cancer. He died aged 75, at home near Southwell.

Born on June 23, 1935, John Raymond Hopkin was captain of athletics and in the rugby and football first teams.

He left in the summer of 1953 and was called to the bar to practise law at Middle Temple in February 1958.

Twenty one years later, he was sworn in as a crown court judge by the Lord Chancellor.

He leaves his wife, Sue, a son and a daughter.

His son Andrew said his father had wide interests, including gardening, theatre, hill walking, golf and watching his grandsons play rugby.

Andrew said: "Judges can be very austere, but he was a man who was much loved by many people outside the law as well as inside the law.

"I remember at his retirement somebody described him as a man who in equal measure was held in great affection and respect, and I think that's a very good way to describe him."