Judges pay moving tribute to much-loved Sheffield Crown Court manager who died aged 52

Judges, staff and friends gathered to pay their respects during a moving eulogy at Sheffield Crown Court in honour of a much-loved court manager who has sadly passed away.
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Sheffield Crown Court held the eulogy in Court 7, on July 13, in honour of the late court operations manager Sue Green, of Maltby, who recently died aged 52 after suffering with cancer.

Judge Jeremy Richardson QC, The Recorder of Sheffield, told those present and those linked via video - including judges and staff – how he had been shocked to learn on July 1 that Mrs Green had died.

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He said: “There was an overwhelming sense of shock, sadness and grief amongst staff and among all who work here upon hearing the news.

Pictured is Sheffield Crown Court operations manager Sue Green, of Maltby, who has sadly died aged 52 after suffering with cancerPictured is Sheffield Crown Court operations manager Sue Green, of Maltby, who has sadly died aged 52 after suffering with cancer
Pictured is Sheffield Crown Court operations manager Sue Green, of Maltby, who has sadly died aged 52 after suffering with cancer

"She was immensely well-liked and hugely respected by her colleagues. It’s a measure of that respect that so many are here in court and present on the TV link.”

Judge Richardson described Mrs Green as an exceptional court official who was a well-liked, lovely person.

He praised her courage during her illness because she had never let people know how ill she really was as she selflessly put the needs of others before her own.

Judges, staff and friends at Sheffield Crown Court, pictured, attended a moving eulogy in honour of court operations manager Sue Green who has sadly passed away.Judges, staff and friends at Sheffield Crown Court, pictured, attended a moving eulogy in honour of court operations manager Sue Green who has sadly passed away.
Judges, staff and friends at Sheffield Crown Court, pictured, attended a moving eulogy in honour of court operations manager Sue Green who has sadly passed away.
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Judge Richardson said: “She was a very able public servant and one who had a distinct ‘can-do’ attitude. Obstacles were there to be overcome and overcome them she did.”

Mrs Green will be remembered for the success with which she put key strategies into place so the court could continue its work during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to Judge Richardson.

Judge Richardson said Mrs Green was also involved in national initiatives and helped to establish Sheffield Crown Court as a beacon for other court centres.

He added: “I find it hard to believe she will not be my guiding light at this court centre. I find it hard to believe I will not have those enjoyable conversations with her about all sorts of things. I find it hard to believe she is not here.”

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Judge Richardson concluded: “This court will not be the same without her.”

Barrister Gul Nawaz Hussain QC, head of Bank House Chambers, said: “We must never lose sight of what lies at the heart of our court centres – people – people like Sue Green.”

He added: “The dignity and stoicism which she battled her illness was humbling. Her humour, her commitment, her diligence and above all her humanity flowed down every part of this building.”

Mrs Green’s husband Bill said he was stunned by the kind tributes paid by so many.

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He said: “I was absolutely stunned because I knew she had an important role at the court but she just treated it as going off to work and coming back from work.”

Mr Green added that Mrs Green was so humble that he never had a full grasp of the impact she had made upon Sheffield Crown Court.

He told how keen swimmer Mrs Green, whom he described as his ‘best friend’, had also taken part in fundraising swimathons for Cancer Research.

Mr Green said: “She was taken too young and had so much to offer.”

A funeral service is due to take place at Rotherham Crematorium on Thursday, July 15, followed by a burial with restricted numbers in attendance due to Covid-19 regulations.