Martin Beddoe

Early life

His Honour Judge Beddoe came from a military family. He was born in Abyad, Egypt, where his father Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Beddoe was serving at the time of his birth. His father was a British Army general who had a very distinguished military career and before his posting to Egypt was an infantry battalion commanding officer in Welsh Regiment in the Second World War.

Career at the Bar

His Honour Judge Beddoe was educated at Tonbridge School and Peterhouse College, a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. He was called to the bar as a member of Gray's Inn in 1979 and thereafter practised as a barrister at 36 Bedford Row chambers where he practised from 1980 specialising in prosecution work, including prosecution of several cases of fraud, tax evasion, organised crime and murder, until 2005, when he was appointed Standing Counsel to the Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office. He served in that capacity until December 2007, when he was appointed circuit judge.

Prosecutor

Throughout his career His Honour Judge Beddoe successfully prosecuted many criminal cases including prosecution of a fraudster who was found guilty of involvement in a £1.5 million fraud in 2002, and a solicitor who plead guilty to stealing £350,000 in fees from clients in 2005. Solicitor Christopher McChrystal was arrested in October 2004 after the Law Society referred his case to the police. McChrystal was subsequently struck off after Lincoln Crown Court's finding that he used the clients' money to make an investment into his business.

As a judge, His Honour Judge Beddoe had presided over many high-profile criminal cases, including trial of BAFTA nominated film producers who used Film Tax Credit to claim back inflated cash from the Treasury.

Judicial appointments

His Honour Judge Beddoe was a Recorder of the Crown Court from 2002 until 2007, when he was appointed a Senior Circuit Judge, becoming the Resident Judge on the South Eastern Circuit based at Southwark Crown Court.

Notable cases

In 2017 His Honour Judge Beddoe presided over the case of Ricardo McFarlane, 30 years old muslim convert charged with anti-social behaviour after preaching Sharia law in Oxford Street and two other London venues, who declined to stand up in court due to his religious believes. McFarlane allegedly breached the terms of an antisocial behaviour order barring him from addressing members of the public in order to promote sharia law. At the hearing in Southwark Crown Court, Judge Beddoe noticed that McFarlane did not stand when he entered the room. McFarlane's defence barrister commented:

"Because of his religious belief he believes there is only one person who he should bow to."

To which Judge Beddoe responded:

"That is as may be, but this isn’t a court of religion, this is a secular court and it expects to be treated with respect. That isn’t in breach of any religious principles I’m aware of."

McFarlane then proceeded to stand for Judge Beddoe while he was speaking and during the rest of the hearing.

In May 2017 His Honour Judge Beddoe was a lead walker at the London Legal Walk organised by London Legal Support Trust, which was designed to bring together leading criminal practitioners to raises funds for charities that provide life changing legal advice and representation to those in need. It was attended by leading criminal practitioners and professionals working in the criminal justice system, including Lord Thomas, the Lord Chief Justice, Nicholas Hilliard QC, Recorder of London, and Lord Igor Judge, former Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales.

His Honour Judge Beddoe is married to philosopher Mary Margaret Anne McCabe. He a keen golfer and a Club Captain of Old Tonbridgian Golfing Society.