Wait for crown court trials rise to 4 years

LAW AND VICTIMS' GROUPS SLAM CRIMINAL JUSTICE BACKLOG CRISIS

- JAMES CARTLEDGE News Reporter

BBC presenter Jay Blades' trial has been set for September 2027, with the judge expressing his 'regret' at the timescale

COURTS are being forced to schedule trials for up to four years away amid a crisis in Britain's criminal justice system.

More than 78,000 cases remained open at the end of June, according to new figures, up two per cent from the 76,000-plus in March, when the backlog passed 75,000 for the first time.

It was also up 10 per cent from 70,893 a year earlier, according to Ministry of Justice figures.

The crisis made renewed headlines earlier this month when Midland-based TV presenter Jay Blades was told he would not stand trial on two counts of rape until September 2027.

The former host of the BBC's Repair Shop had been unable to work since the allegations were made, Shrewsbury Crown Court heard.

Defence counsel Susan Meek said: “It is an extraordinarily long time for him not to be able to work.”