Lawrence Stevens reckons he has bowed to judges more than 25,000 times.

At least ten times a day for almost a decade he has bent forward, nodded or stooped each time he has left or entered court rooms, the traditional act of respect and deference to the bench.

On Friday, for the first time, judges bowed to him.

Mr Stevens, an usher at Lewes and Hove Crown Courts, hung up his robes for the last time.

Judges and staff from both courts paid tribute to him at a retirement party.

He didn't want to leave but, at 65, had no choice.

He said: "I'd like to have stayed on for a couple of days a week but rules are rules. I shall miss everyone, including the judges. They are all real gents and ladies. They were like friends."

Judges paid tribute to him five years ago by holding a mock trial.

Mr Stevens was "convicted" of being 60 and sentenced to a "healthy life and many more years".

His biggest trial was at the same court in 2001 when Roy Whiting was jailed for life for the murder of Sarah Payne.

He said: "I'd never seen anything like it, the court was absolutely packed with reporters, relatives and members of the public."

Mr Stevens, who lives with his wife of 45 years, Doreen, in Hove, witnessed many major trials and kept his thoughts to himself as killers, rapists and robbers were sent down. The villains he disliked the most were muggers who preyed on little old ladies.

His home has been burgled twice. Thieves stole 25th wedding anniversary silver and gifts he received when he retired from his previous job as chauffeur and mace bearer to the mayor of Hove.

Mr Stevens served 20 mayors and recalled the day he drove one to a civic function: "He was in the back seat and suddenly shouted: 'Take me home'. I asked him what for and he said: 'I've forgotten my teeth'."

Born in Brighton, Mr Stevens was a fishmonger before joining the Army as a medical nurse. He served aboard the hospital ship MV Dilwara and travelled 350,000 miles.

He said he would miss court but intended to keep up with news of trials. "I've bought The Argus every day of my life as I'm on my way home and I shall not stop now."