Child welfare campaigners criticised a judge who yesterday walked free from court despite releasing a convicted paedophile.

Maureen Coreen of the NSPCC said she was very disappointed, and warned that Judge Podgett could strike again, handing down further questionable sentences. "This man is known to frequent expensive restaurants and generally live a life of luxury. He is completely out of touch with the norms of everyday society and will never be able to integrate properly."

However, the Lord Chancellor's office defended the decision to let the judge return to work. A spokesman said it would be cruel to disrupt his life of blissful unawareness, as he was old and in poor physical and mental health.