Murder case affair judge resigns

Amelia was murdered two days before her fourth birthday

A part-time judge whose affair with a married woman drove her jealous husband to murder their daughter has resigned.

Married deputy district judge James Muir-Little, from Faversham, Kent began a fling with Joanne Hall in 2005.

Weeks later, her husband, Gavin Hall, killed Amelia, three, in revenge. He was jailed for life in November 2006 at Northampton Crown Court.

The Office for Judicial Complaints said Mr Muir-Little had resigned as a judge during disciplinary proceedings.

It said in a statement: "Mr Muir-Little, a deputy district judge on the south eastern circuit, has resigned ... thereby pre-empting any further action.

"The Lord Chancellor and Lord Chief Justice have accepted his resignation and he will no longer sit as a deputy district judge."

We are aware of the difficult time his family has experienced and the effort made to conduct a normal family life Furley Page solicitors

Mr Hall's trial was told the hospital radiographer, then 33, killed Amelia at the family's home in Grey Street, Irchester, Northamptonshire.

He drugged Amelia, known as Millie, with anti-depressants and then smothered her with a chloroform-soaked rag after finding sexually-explicit emails between his wife and Mr Muir-Little.

The child died two days before her fourth birthday and was found by her mother on the living room floor in what was described as "a scene of horror".

Jurors heard the discovery of his wife's affair with the part-time judge sparked an emotional breakdown which led to the killing.

Mrs Hall, also known as Joanne Rainsley, met solicitor Mr Muir-Little through a sex contact website for married people.

The pair exchanged pictures of themselves naked and described in graphic detail fantasies of what they wanted to do with each other.

Joanne Rainsley met James Muir-Little through a sex website

Mr Muir-Little is not under investigation by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, and is free to continue practising.

Kent solicitors, Furley Page, where he is a partner, said he was on annual leave until 26 August.

"James has been with the firm for 15 years," said a spokesman.

"He immediately offered the Lord Chancellor his resignation as a deputy district judge when contacted some time ago.

"It has taken a significant time for acceptance to be confirmed.

"We are aware of the difficult time his family has experienced and the effort made to conduct a normal family life."