A “lightning quick” former court reporter praised as one of Yorkshire’s most respected journalists has died aged 84.

Douglas Wilson, known as Dougie, retired from the Yorkshire Evening Post in 1995.

During his time there, he worked on some of the region’s most high-profile cases, including that of the spy Nicholas Prager millionaire businessman John Poulson, who was jailed for fraud and bribery.

Former YEP deputy news editor Tony Harney said Dougie was modest and well-respected by police, courts officials and judges alike.

“Dougie was great to work with. He was a fine shorthand writer, a lightning quick reporter and very accurate,” he said.

“He taught a lot of younger journalists the high standards he set himself.”

Born in Barnsley, Dougie started his career at the Barnsley Chronicle, before moving on to the Morecambe Advertiser and the Peterborough Standard over the next 20 years.

He then opted for a change, and headed to Leeds to work for the Central Office of Information, the government’s own news outlet.

However, he soon realised he missed reporting and took a job at the Dewsbury Reporter, before ending up at the Yorkshire Evening Post.

He died at his home in Ossett last week, leaving behind two sons and his wife, Marjorie.

A tribute piece has been published by the Yorkshire Evening Post.