Massive backlog of cases yet to be heard by courts

5,329 serious proceedings are still to be dealt with

- PAUL BRITTON

THE staggering backlog of criminal cases waiting to be heard in Greater Manchester's crown courts has been revealed.

New figures published by the Ministry of Justice show a total of 5,329 cases are waiting to be dealt with at Greater Manchester's three crown courts - Manchester Crown Square, Manchester Minshull Street and Bolton Crown Court.

One court, Minshull Street, ranks the second highest in the UK for backlogged cases, at 2,378.

Only Snaresbrook Crown Court in London has more, at 3,442. The figures reveal 1,984 cases at Crown Square and 967 at Bolton Crown Court.

It's reported jury trials could be scrapped in some cases after the crown court backlog almost doubled in five years, hitting another record high.