A WEST Wiltshire magistrate who dozed off in court is waiting to hear his fate from the Lord Chancellor.
The advisory committee, the magistrates' watchdog, met on Monday, July 3, to decide if action should be taken against Melksham businessman Michael Pearce.
Mr Pearce, who runs Pearce Furnishings in Melksham, did not have to appear before the panel.
The committee considered a report from Keith Berry, chairman of the north west Wiltshire bench, and court clerk David Brewer, who questioned Mr Pearce after he fell asleep during the hearing at Trowbridge on June 6.
A committee spokesman said: The advisory committee has considered the case of Michael Pearce and will be making a recommendation to the Lord Chancellor's office in due course.
We did not see him but the committee considered the report that was submitted to us by Mr Berry and Mr Brewer.
The extensive press coverage of Mr Pearce's lapse, which was revealed in the Wiltshire Times, was also considered by the committee.
Mr Pearce, of Semington Road, has stood down until the inquiry is over, and is expected not to return until the Lord Chancellor's decision is known. Lord Derry Irvine has the power to suspend or remove magistrates.
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