Forty-four courts saw an increase in average delays between 2019 and 2021 to more than 1,000 days between offense and completion, according to analysis of Justice Department figures shared by Labor with the Daily Express. The Justice Department pointed out that the figures include historic rape allegations – and courts dealing with such cases are seeing much longer examples of their completion after being reported.
Data shows that eight courts – Great Grimsby, Lincoln, Norwich, Stafford, Swansea, Taunton, Teesside and Truro – all had average delays of over 2,000 days, including landmark cases.
On average, victims have waited 1,068 days – nearly three years – for justice.
Labor said it was “further proof” that the criminals were freed and the victims were left behind. Victims Commissioner Dame Vera Baird QC said: ‘We cannot be surprised if an increasing number of people decide they cannot stay the course.
Jo Sidhu QC, chairman of the Criminal Bar Association, said: “The factual evidence from the criminal courts does not support the current fantasy being fed to the public by ministers that delays are starting to shrink.”
The analysis comes just a day after the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said rape convictions increased by almost 15% between October 1 and December 31.
A government spokeswoman said: “As more and more victims of historical sex offenses have the confidence to come forward, the average time between the offense and its completion has increased. We are committed to giving victims get the speedy justice they deserve. That’s why we’re increasing the capacity of the courts and reviewing our response to rape.”
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Source: www.express.co.uk
This notice was published: 2022-04-23 09:43:10
