Manchester custos calls for tougher sanctions against JPs who charge for services

By Prince Moore    

 

There's a call for tougher sanctions against Justices of the Peace who charge members of the public for the voluntary service.

 

It has come from Custos of Manchester Garfield Green after two JPs in the parish were decommissioned for charging for their services.

 

Custos Green says the two JPs were on the radar for some time, and were previously warned to desist from the practice.

 

But he says despite the warnings, they continued.

 

The two men were brought before an ethics committee in recent weeks, following two years of accusations against them.

 

The Manchester Custos says there is need for legislation to make the practice a criminal offence. 

 

"There are many reports, not just in Manchester but I've heard of many reports in other parishes where JPs are charging for their services. They are maybe becoming emboldened because of something, I don't know what it is, or they think that the teeth is not sharp enough that that's after them. But the persons see it fit and they want to take the chance to charge regardless of the warning they get from the [Justice] Ministry," he lamented.