Sri Lankan announced as UKs youngest Crown Court Judge
Sri Lankan born Ayesha Smart, 34, can now sit as a Recorder in crown courts across the north east of England as well as being the youngest non-white person
to take up the role, she will be the third youngest person from any background to be selected.
The process of becoming a judge is complex, involving two sets of exams, a role play exercise and an interview and the final approval has to be given by the King.
Ayesha told the Stray Ferret: “Everybody says it takes several goes at the process to get through, so I thought I would give it a go and at least I know what it’s like.
“I anticipated I might be one of the youngest ones in the exams, so I assumed I wouldn’t get anywhere. It was a bit of a nice surprise when I got it!” Ayesha, who lives near Killinghall, attended Ashville College when she moved to Nidderdale with her family in 2014.(Stray Ferret)