A magistrate who had 10 penalty points on her driving licence has been issued with formal advice for misconduct. Abiola Onatade reported to her bench chair she had previously received more than six penalty points and later revealed she had received a total of 10 points for three separate speeding offences.
The Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said Onatade accepted she should have reported the earlier speeding offences, took full responsibility and apologised for her actions.
A JCIO spokesperson said: ‘Ms Onatade recognised that accruing points on her licence, as a magistrate, who deals with speeding matters, did not reflect well on herself or the magistracy. She gave an assurance that she would keep within the speed limit going forward.’
It added: ‘The Guide to Judicial Conduct states that judicial office-holders are expected to show "respect for the law and observance of the law". In addition, magistrates sign a declaration and undertaking on appointment agreeing to be circumspect in their conduct and to maintain the dignity, standing and good reputation of the magistracy at all times.’
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Guidance to the judiciary states that road traffic offences need to be reported to the relevant leadership judge or bench chair in the case of a magistrate if, on conviction, there is any period of disqualification imposed, six penalty points are ordered to be endorsed on the license or if the total points endorsed on the license exceeds six.
Mr Justice Keehan, on behalf of the lady chief justice, and the lord chancellor found Onatade’s actions amounted to misconduct. Issuing her with formal advice, they took into consideration Onatade’s ‘apology, long unblemished conduct record and assurance that it would not happen again’.
