Plews was unusual for a top level English umpire, in that he was one of only four umpires who have stood in Tests in England since World World War II who did not play first class cricket. He stood in 11 Test matches between 1988 and 1995. He took up umpiring full-time after retiring from a 25-year career with the Nottingham city police force, where he was a detective sergeant - he was nicknamed "Serge" on the field - in the Fraud Squadron
He also stood in 16 One Day International matches and officiated at 11 Tests before retiring.
Plews died of renal cancer on 19 October 2008.