In The Code of the Woosters, it is mentioned that he had once fined Bertie £5 for stealing a policeman's helmet on Boat Race Night and has considered him a thief since. Upon inheriting a fortune from an unnamed relative, he retired from the bench, bought Totleigh Towers, and took up residence there. Bertie was of the opinion that the fortune derived from pocketing fines while a magistrate. He is a close friend of Roderick Spode, who is an almost constant presence at Totleigh Towers.