A PROBATION officer who became a familiar figure in North-East court circles has retired after almost 30 years in the service.

John Woodhouse was honoured by friends, family and colleagues at a retirement party in his honour in Durham last Friday.

John has provided a helping hand to thousands of referrals to the service, including many defendants awaiting sentence in court cases.

John entered the probation service in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, in 1973. After eight years in the Midlands, Hebburn-born John returned to his native North-East, joining the Northumbria Probation Service, with a posting in Houghton-le-Spring.

He went on to work in South Tyneside, Newcastle and Gateshead, performing a lot of court duties, before transferring to the Durham Probation Service.

During his period in Durham, John spent more than five years as the liaison officer at the crown court. He moved on family work, before a recent brief return to the crown court.

"My particular area of expertise has been the courts. I find it quite invigorating to almost challenge the system, to deal with those often repressed and damaged people, with no support."

John was joined by wife Veronica, a supply teacher, son Brendan, 26, four-month-old grandson George, and parents John and Isabel, at his leaving function at Durham's Garden House pub.

His other son, 30-year-old John, was unable to attend due to work commitments.