Judge who slammed ‘pitiful’ driving crime punishments caught speeding for fourth time

A SENIOR judge who slammed "pitiful" punishments for driving crimes has been caught speeding for the fourth time.

Adrian Reynolds was banned from the roads for six months after totting up 12 points on his licence.

He made headlines last year after blasting his "inadequate" sentencing powers when jailing a man.

He told the defendant he caged for 22 months for causing the death of an OAP by careless driving: "The prosecution have charged you with causing death by careless driving.

“The maximum sentence for that offence is five years, as opposed to 14 years for causing death by dangerous driving.

“The range of sentence under the guidelines will seem pitifully inadequate to the family of Mr Forde.”

The crown court judge recorder has now been officially rebuked for his conduct following a disciplinary hearing by the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office.

Reynolds, who sits in courts in the East Midlands and Warwickshire, had failed to reveal some of his convictions.

He was given a reprimand by Lord Chancellor David Gauke and Lord Chief Justice Burnett — the two most senior legal figures in Britain.

But he avoided further punishment because of his long public service.

A legal source said: "It's not the smartest behaviour in the world.

"Criminals up before him might have a thing or two to say knowing he's been driving so badly." 

Reynolds told The Sun: "I have my licence back and could drive, but decided to live without a car.

We all live and learn."