Robert Altham

This was the first time environmental activists had received jail sentences for protesting in the UK since 1932 when the mass trespass of Kinder Scout was organised in the Peak District.

He was called to the Bar at Gray's Inn in 1993 and went on to join the chambers of David Steer QC in Liverpool.

[4] Gordon Marsden, the MP for Blackpool South contacted the Attorney General, Geoffrey Cox to raise questions about Altham's handling of the 2018 fracking protest case, asking whether would "undertake an investigation into compliance with the Judicial Code of Conduct in relation to the trial".

However, during the hearing Lord Burnett remarked that there was "no evidence" that the judge had any financial interest in fracking.

[6] Judge Altham was installed as Honorary Recorder of Preston on 23 September 2021, a post dating back to 1685.

Installation of His Honour Judge Robert Altham (left) as Honorary Recorder of Preston following the retirement of His Honour Judge Mark Brown (second from Left) in Preston Council Chamber 23 September 2021.