UK VOICE: Top female judge arrested

The author of the controversial autobiography Ugly has been arrested.

Judge Constance Briscoe, who revealed distressing details of her child abuse and neglect at the hands of her mother in the 2006 book, was arrested at her home in Clapham, south west London, at the weekend.

The 55-year-old was later released on bail pending further inquires, although Kent police would not confirm the nature of its investigation.

A spokesperson said: “A 55-year-old woman was arrested on Saturday in Clapham, south London, interviewed by officers and bailed pending further inquires.”

Briscoe has also been suspended from her post and will not be allowed to sit a judge while the investigation is ongoing.

The office for Judicial Complaints said: “The Lord Chief Justice and Lord Chancellor have suspended Constance Briscoe from the judiciary pending the outcome of the police investigation into the allegations against her. It would be inappropriate to comment further whilst the investigation is active.”

Briscoe, a mother-of-two, was called to the Bar in 1983 and appointed a Recorder- a part time judge- 13 years later.

In 2006 her memoir Ugly caused a family rift because it described how her mother beat her for wetting the bed.

Briscoe’s mother Carmen took legal action against her daughter over her depiction on the book, but a jury found in favour of the author.

editorial@gleanerjm.com