Six new magistrates have been sworn in to serve Suffolk.

The half-dozen new justices took the Oath of Allegiance during a ceremony at Ipswich Crown Court last Friday.

Overseeing proceedings were resident judge, His Honour Judge Martyn Levett, High Sheriff for Suffolk, Edward Creasy, and magistrates bench chairwoman for the area, Jill Stutchfield.

Congratulating the new magistrates on becoming Justices of the Peace, Judge Levett said the courts’ function was to carry out the administration of justice in accordance with the rule of law and to maintain public confidence in the administration of justice in Suffolk.

He said the principles of sentencing were to protect the public, to act as a deterrent and to punish the offender - but that there was an important balancing requirement to consider rehabilitation and restitution.

"Whatever individual issues there are, the concept of proportionality is an important one in the operation of the law," he added.

The six new magistrates for Suffolk are Sonia Davis, Judith Davis, Peter Emberson, Meera Loxley, Andrew Kirby and Anna Skudder.

To find out more about becoming a magistrates, visit gov.uk/become-magistrate