A Shropshire judge, described as “caring and professional”, has died at the age of 72.

Tributes were today paid to Judge Desmond Perrett who was the former resident judge at Shrewsbury Crown Court.

Judge Perrett, who was at the court between 2001 and 2005, died last week.

Barristers and court staff joined Judge Robin Onions and Judge Nicholas Mitchell at Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday morning to pay tribute to Judge Perrett.

Judge Onions said the sport and countryside pursuits enthusiast was one of a long line of judges to serve and live in Shropshire.

He said: “I have been informed of the sad and untimely death of Judge Desmond Perrett.

“He was one of a line of judges who have lived and served in Shropshire and he was a big man – both physically imposing and intellectually able, a top barrister in his field and a gentleman away from the court room.

“He adored horse racing, but in particular he had a great passion for cricket.

“Upon stepping into any judge’s chambers you find nothing but legal books and papers, but Judge Perrett’s was just like his living room, full of mementos and his cricket ties.

“He has died at an untimely age and I must pay tribute to him.”

Barrister Janet Pitt-Lewis said: “On behalf of the bar I would like to pay tribute to this most caring and professional judge who will be missed by everyone. He was alw- ays willing to listen to you in full – unless you clashed with the Cheltenham Gold Cup or a test match.”