A MAGISTRATE received a slap on the wrist after he tried to use his position to “gain influence” with a police officer.

Following a complaint about the conduct of Donald Wicks, the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office issued a formal warning.

In a statement, the independent watchdog said the behaviour of Mr Wicks had fallen below the high standards expected of a magistrate.

Mr Wicks, from Braintree, who often chairs benches in both Colchester and Chelmsford magistrates’ courts, had spoken to a police officer regarding traffic being diverted onto the road passing his home.

The Lord Chancellor and Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb found Mr Wicks had misled the officer, falsely claiming his partner was a “custody inspector”.

A spokesman said: “Donald Wicks JP, a magistrate from the North Essex Justice Area, has been issued with a formal warning.

“Following a road traffic accident which resulted in traffic being diverted onto the road passing his home, Mr Wicks referred to his judicial status during a conversation with a police officer and also misinformed the officer his partner was a custody inspector when he is not.

“The Lord Chancellor and Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb DBE on behalf of the Lord Chief Justice concluded that Mr Wicks’ conduct was aimed at gaining influence with the police officer.

“His behaviour fell below the high standards expected of a judicial office holder.”

There are around 14,000 magistrates in England and Wales.

All are unpaid volunteers, working part-time to deal with criminal cases such as minor theft, criminal damage, public disorder and motoring offences.

They do not require formal legal qualifications, but must demonstrate six key qualities: understanding and communication, maturity and sound temperament, good character, commitment, social awareness and sound judgement.

John Bache, national chairman of the Magistrates Association, said: “We cannot comment upon the specific case.

“However, magistrates are judicial office holders, and therefore subject to the same oversight by the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office as all other members of the judiciary.

“The work of the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office is an important part of ensuring the public can have full confidence in the impartiality of the judiciary.”

The Times attempted to contact Mr Wicks directly for a comment, but did not receive a response.