TODAY marks the end of an era for Dorchester as its crown court sits for the final time.

It was announced last year that the county town court was one of 11 in the South West being recommended for closure and would be subject to a consultation period.

HM Courts and Tribunals Service confirmed in February that ten of the courts, including Dorchester Crown, will be closed with only Bath Magistrates’ Court spared the axe.

Minister for Courts and Legal Aid Shailesh Vara said the 86 courts that were being closed across the country were used for just over a third of their available hearing time, the equivalent of less than two days a week.

The final Dorchester Crown Court cases will be heard this morning before judges, past and present, barristers and staff gather to reminisce and mark the end of an era.

When the final trial was concluded at earlier this week, Judge Peter Johnson said to the jury: “You are in fact part of history. You 12 are the very last jury at Dorchester Crown Court.

“You have essentially been the very last of a chain of jurors which started in January 1972.”

Judge Johnson asked the jurors how many of them would be caused “considerable” difficulty if they had to travel to Bournemouth to carry out their jury duty. When around half of the panel confirmed this would be the case Judge Johnson said this would be “the lot” of jurors in west Dorset from now forward.

The court staff will be relocated to courts in either Bournemouth or Weymouth.

Last week usher Shelley Johns performed her final duties at the Crown Court in Dorchester and Judge Johnson paid tribute to her, saying she had been a “tireless and superb usher”.

He added: “She has been of the most enormous assistance to not only colleagues but members of the bar, members of the public and the judiciary.

“I know all colleagues thank her for all she’s done over many years.

“I have received a substantial number of tributes from jurors who have all praised her for the most wonderful assistance she has given them.”

The judge presented Shelley with a bouquet of flowers.

Cases that would have been heard at Dorchester Crown Court will now be held at Bournemouth Crown Court.