Top judge quits over phone call
Wolverhampton's former resident judge has been forced to quit his job as Recorder of Birmingham after admitting a "serious error of judgment".
Judge Frank Chapman phoned a prosecution lawyer outside the courtroom.
The judge, who worked in Wolverhampton for a decade before leaving last year, resigned after leaving a voicemail. Contact outside the courtroom during a case is not allowed.
Judge Chapman, 62, stepped down from the case after the call was brought to his attention by counsel, and the defendant then made a formal complaint.
"At the end of a long and stressful week, I left a message on the voicemail of a prosecution counsel in a case which I was trying," said Judge Chapman.
"Having had the opportunity to consider the situation fully, I decided that the most appropriate course for me to take was to resign from my judicial office."
In a joint statement the Lord Chief Justice and Lord Chancellor said: "Throughout many years of service as a judge, Judge Chapman's conduct has been exemplary and he has made a significant contribution to the administration of justice.
