MAGISTRATES FACING DISCIPLINE AFTER FALLING ASLEEP

A senior magistrate was facing a disciplinary investigation today after being accused of falling asleep while presiding over a drink driving trial.

Paul Flynn was chairing a hearing at Macclesfield magistrates court when he was to said to have closed his eyes while listening to defence submissions from lawyer Caroline King.

The case unexpectedly halted until a female magistrate seemed to nudge Mr Flynn before all three JPs heard the rest of the mitigation and retired to consider their decision.

But as the magistrates were due to return with their sentencing, the case was suddenly called off and reconvened two days later with a new bench of JPs after Miss King made a complaint to a clerk.

Her client was subsequently jailed for 16 weeks and banned from driving for four years.

A spokesman for the Judicial Office said: `The Magistrate