Bernadette was not your average magistrate. Now living in Bournemouth, this black, former beauty queen was the face of the community magistrates’ programme before leaving to pursue a new career as a motivational speaker. She is currently an advisor on diversity and Caribbean cultural affairs and attends local prisons giving offenders practical advice on domestic and legal matters. She still regularly speaks to local schools, universities, radio stations and businesses giving a valuable and refreshing insight into how the court process works and her encounters with racism on the bench. Bernadette also features regularly as a panelist on TV
Current Affairs Programmes.
Bernadette, an ex BA stewardess, is married with one son and spent four years in India on a diplomatic posting with her husband. Appalled by the levels of poverty she encountered there, she helped to raise a small fortune for needy causes and continues her charity work to this day.
Experience
Prison Dialogue & Threshold (Voluntary)
Prison Dialogue
August 2009 – Present HMP Guys Marsh & HMP Portland YO, Dorchester
Giving practical advice to offenders before returning to their communities..working together with Probation,The local council and Community Police.
Probation Volunteer
Dorset Probation Trust
July 2011 – July 2012 (1 year 1 month) Guys Marsh, Dorchester Portland Y.O.
Giving offenders practical advice before leaving prison and returning to their local community as well as an understanding of how the court system works.
Magistrate (Chairman)
HMCS
Government Agency; 10,001+ employees; Law Practice industry
June 2003 – July 2011 (8 years 2 months)
Criminal Law
Family Law (specialised)