Sex-scandal judge died in fire caused by heater

Gerald Lumley, who was described as one of the finest barristers of his generation, tried to deal with the fire at his flat.

A former part-time judge Mr Lumley, 60, was overcome by fumes during the incident on a bitterly cold night on January 29.

A portable electric halogen heater in Mr Lumley’s bedroom was too close to bedding and radiated heat from it ignited fabric.

Firefighters discovered the former barrister lying on the floor in the lounge at the second floor flat in Kendal Bank, Burley, Leeds.

They attempted to revive him before paramedics arrived. He died later in Leeds General Infirmary.

Mr Lumley had faced accusations about his private life from a national newspaper in 1994.

The allegations against him were never proven, he had always denied them and no action was taken against him as a result of the publicity.

However he resigned soon afterwards from his position as a judge, although he continued to work as a barrister.

One colleague described him as “one of the kindest, most generous, nicest people I have ever met” who was likely to have taken the negative publicity “very badly”.

The inquest heard that the flat was not fitted with smoke alarms, which would have alerted Mr Lumley to the blaze earlier.

West Yorkshire Coroner David Hinchliff recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Last February David Hatton QC described Mr Lumley as “possibly the finest barrister of his generation”.