Strip club manager Steven Hutchins steps down from bench as Medway magistrate
by Nicola Jordan
A strip club boss has stepped down as a magistrate "for the
time being" amid concerns of a conflict of interest.
Steven Ross Hutchins's double life was revealed when he spoke at
a Maidstone town council meeting in favour of his employer's
proposal for a nude lap dancing club in the county town.
The 34-year-old, pictured left, works as an operations
manager for the Aaron P Stone Group, which put forward an
application to open a sex entertainment venue at the old Loder and
Payne's building in Bank Street.
The proposal was thrown out by the council. It is understood a
senior judge has now intervened and the issue was referred to the
Judicial Council.
A statement from the Judicial Office said: "Mr Hutchins has not
been suspended but has voluntarily refrained from sitting for the
time being.
"The matter is being referred to the local Advisory Committee to
consider whether a conduct investigation is appropriate."
Speaking after the licensing committee, Mr Hutchins said
there was no conflict between his positions as a magistrate and
club manager – and stressed he was speaking at the licensing
meeting entirely as a club manager.
He said: "I'm very disappointed with the decision and feel our
application has been misunderstood by the public, the press and the
council.
"I can confirm work has ceased on the whole project."
Mr Hutchins said his job with the Aaron Stone Group had no
impact on his position as a magistrate.
He said: "It's important in law that you give a broad spectrum
of life experience and that’s why you sit on a panel of three."
Mr Hutchins refused to comment on his decision to step down
temporarily from the Medway bench.
08/11/12
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