A FORMER long-serving Carlisle judge was hailed a "giant of Cumbrian justice", following his death at the age of 76.

His Honour Charles Mahon, who lived at Brigflatts, Sedbergh, first sat in Carlisle in 1985 as a Recorder and was appointed a Circuit Judge just four years later.

He presided over thousands of criminal cases during the 1990s before later becoming the designated family judge for Carlisle and Lancaster.

In that role, he took decisions every day which profoundly affected the futures of children and their parents.

At the time of his retirement, in 2005, he was said to have been Carlisle's longest serving judge.

Following his passing earlier this month, Carlisle Crown Court users, along with members of the judiciary who were associated with him, gathered in the city on Monday.

A eulogy was delivered by Carlisle's current resident judge, His Honour Judge Peter Davies, who told those assembled that "a giant of Cumbrian Justice has departed this life".

"The county of Cumbria and, in particular, those who work in all the courts of the county and, of course his family and friends, were deeply saddened to learn of the passing on January 4, 2016, of His Honour Charles Mahon.

"His was a selfless life of service to others and devotion to his wife and family," said Judge Davies.

"Charles was a man who by his character, principles, intelligence, loyalty and sincerity earned and won the respect and admiration of all who knew him."

Born in Manchester, in August, 1939, Charles Mahon studied law at Gonville and Caius College Cambridge.

Graduating with honours, he was called to the bar in 1962 by Gray's Inn, London.

Returning to Manchester, he made the first steps in his chosen career with a pupillage at 26 King Street.

He later moved to chambers at St James Square before his appointment as a circuit judge.

"He was a fine and, to use an over-used term, a great judge," said Judge Davies. "He was a great judge, because he listened, because he was compassionate, because he cared for his fellow human being and because he believed not merely in justice but in doing right."

In addition to a distinguished 43-year legal career, Judge Mahon reached the rank of Major in the Royal Marines Reserve and served in the Territorial Army.

He became an accomplished violinist and was in later years a member of the highly regarded Lakeland Sinfonia. He was also said to have a passion for parachuting.

Married to Lavinia, he had a daughter, Louise, stepdaughters, Bryony and Sophia, and a stepson, Nicholas. His funeral service took place at St Andrew's Parish Church, Sedbergh, on January 13.