Passport fraud magistrate among 19 sacked last year

Others were warned about their language and confrontational approach or were investigated for alleged discriminatory behaviour.

Another magistrate received a formal warning after three speeding tickets in two years and was allowed to stay on the bench after agreeing to fit a cruise control to his car.

The cases emerged in a report by the Office for Judicial Complaints, which reveals that 1,473 complaints were received over 12 months about judicial office-holders, including magistrates, coroners and tribunal officials.

Many complaints were rejected, but 19 magistrates and two tribunal officials were removed from their posts as a result of investigations, while a further 19 were reprimanded.

Another two received a formal warning and seven others were issued with "guidance" as to their future conduct.

Magistrates and courts are not named but several cases are quoted anonymously, including one in which a magistrate was dismissed after helping a person obtain a false passport.

The magistrate had counter-signed an application from a person who was using false papers and a fake identity in a bid to obtain a passport.

Although police did not bring charges against the official, the Office for Judicial Complaints approved his removal after an investigation and then rejected an appeal.

In another case, a magistrate was removed in response to concern about his association with a sex offender.

The report found that the official had failed to show "sound judgment" or given proper consideration to the seriousness of the offender's criminal background and that the magistrates's integrity would be brought into question if allowed to remain on the bench.

Overall, the report, which covers the financial year 2007/8, says that 15 judicial post-holders were removed from office for failing to fulfil their duties, while three were removed for having criminal convictions.

One was removed for inappropriate behaviour or comments, while another was removed for a misuse of judicial status and a further official was dismissed for motoring offences.

In total, 49 judicial post-holders were subject to some form of disciplinary action including 12 for inappropriate behaviour or comments.

There were three instances each of action being taken over criminal convictions, discrimination and misuse of judicial status.