Victory for woman who blew whistle on ‘racist’ magistrates

Iris Josiah, 50, said that there was a "culture of unfair practices against black defendants" among JPs in Enfield, north London.

She alleged fellow magistrates were routinely "hostile" towards black people and convicted them on slim or no evidence. They were also jailed for longer terms and were more likely to be sent to prison and refused bail than white defendants, she claimed.

Miss Josiah, a former Haringey councillor, was unlawfully suspended by court bosses after voicing her concerns. It was decided that she should be reinstated, but it was another four months before she was allowed to resume sitting on cases.

Stratford Employment Tribunal in east London made no ruling on alleged race bias by magistrates.

But it today upheld Miss Josiah's claim against the Ministry of Justice that she was victimised after complaining of race discrimination. She is now demanding punitive damages, aggravated damages and compensation for hurt feelings and could be awarded up to £75,000.

But Miss Josiah failed in her claims that she suffered a seven-year campaign of racist bullying and harassment by colleagues.

The tribunal also rejected her claim that she was overlooked for promotion to the post of court chairman on grounds of race.

In its judgment, the tribunal panel noted that Miss Josiah's allegations were "serious". And it stated: "It is, clearly, very important that a magistrate treats black defendants fairly and without bias."

College lecturer Miss Josiah, from Palmers Green, north London, became a JP at Enfield in 1995 and was for many years the only black magistrate sitting on days she worked.

She said: "In the immediate years following my appointment, I witnessed the hostile treatment of black defendants by some fellow magistrates.

"I felt this needed to be discussed and resolved."