A crown court judge has paid tribute to a journalist who has died after he devoted a lifetime to his profession
Judge Niclas Parry, sitting at Mold Crown Court, said that Gareth Evans of Mold reported fairly, accurately but never without a degree of humanity.
Before the criminal cases started in court yesterday Judge Parry said: 'I think it is appropriate that I should mark the passing of Gareth Evans, who was the first crown court reporter at Mold Crown Court."
Judge Parry, who knew him personally, said that he led a colourful life in journalism, beginning in an age where the profession was so much different to how it was today.
Following a career with the Wrexham Leader, the Western Mail in Cardiff and with Reuters in London, he returned to North Wales and covered cases at the former Ruthin Assize Court.
'He then became the first court reporter at Mold Crown Court where he spent many years reporting here,'the judge said.
'Gareth Evans will be sadly missed. His contribution to the administration of justice and the public's perception of justice deserves to be marked."
He said the court wished to express its sympathy to daughter Bethan, a solicitor with Flintshire County Council, son Mark and the rest of the family.
Barrister Wyn Lloyd Jones added: 'He did great work and will be sadly missed."
When he first returned to North Wales, he lived at Llangollen before moving to Mold.
After many years as a freelance journalist in Mold, Gareth Evans joined the staff of the Flintshire Chronicle and the Leader.
After he retired, he returned to freelancing and covered cases at Wrexham magistrates' court and Chester Crown Court.
He served on Mold Town Council and was Mayor of Mold on two occasions.
When in Llangollen, he was elected to Denbighshire County Council.
Evans, who was in his seventies, died on Friday after he collapsed while having a drink at a social club in Mold.
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