Thousands of trials delayed until 2028

MORE than 2,600 trials at crown courts in England and Wales are not due to be heard until at least 2028 - including 29 trials listed to begin as far ahead as 2030, new data reveals.

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The backlog includes 206 rape trials that are not listed to start until 2028, while four will not get under way until 2029.

Victims’ Commissioner Claire Waxman described the waits for victims as “inhumane”, adding there is evidence of court delays causing marriages to break down, people to lose their jobs, or the onset of physical conditions such as a vomiting syndrome from the stress.

Ministers introduced legislation to Parliament on Wednesday to overhaul the courts system, in a bid to tackle a record backlog of nearly 80,000 crown court cases.