Edward Rees, 22, took his oath of office recently to become one of the UK’s youngest ever Justices of the Peace. Winchester Crown Court saw Edward sworn in by H.H Judge Benett and Hampshire’s Vice Lord-Lieutenant Lindsay Fox at a ceremony attended by his family and fellow Magistrates
Edward who grew up in the Bedhampton/Leigh Park area said: ‘’It’s a real honour to serve as a Magistrate. We should all try to give something back. I am proud of my working class roots, I went to Warblington School, Havant College and the University of Portsmouth. I am so passionate about local issues and it is a privilege to serve our community. I hope my appointment will inspire other young people to come forward and be actively involved in our community. There is a lot of responsibility with the role, I have the ability to take someone’s liberty away. However, I look forward to getting to work and I am ready to dispense justice and uphold the law’’
Edward had to undergo a rigorous three year selection and training process to be put forward to the Lord Chancellor as a suitable candidate for Justice of the Peace, beating individuals who were 40 years his senior in the process. His first sitting on the bench will be in the middle of April.