U-turn demand on Shropshire courts farce

David Gauke, who is also Secretary of State for Justice, is being called on by Telford & Wrekin Council to order a U-turn on the controversial arrangements.

Lawyers have branded new arrangements as farcical and police sources say hours have been wasted looking after prisoners or travelling between courts.

Since the changes were introduced earlier this year all remand cases for the region have been switched to Kidderminster. They were previously held in the county’s only magistrates court in Telford.

The situation has led to police having to drive defendants to Kidderminster from across Shropshire.

It has also meant custody staff looking after prisoners for lengthy periods and considerable difficulties for defendants in getting home after hearings.

In some cases defendants have appeared for a matter of minutes in Kidderminster before having their case adjourned to be heard back in Telford.

Under the previous system many defendants would have been walked a matter of metres from Telford Police Station to the town's magistrates court.

Now they face a lengthy trip to Kidderminster on a van, which leaves the county once a day.

An added complication means anyone surrendering to police after the van has left is kept in custody until the next van, the following day.

Paperwork has even had to be couriered to Kidderminster and lawyers, police and those involved in cases spend hours travelling to and from the court.

What is Telford & Wrekin Council saying?

In a significant intervention, Councillor Richard Overton, the deputy leader of Telford & Wrekin Council, has written to the Department of Justice.

Councillor Overton said the system is not providing justice, adding: “This is not a just system and it is leading to problems for victims, witnesses, defendants, solicitors and police officers.

"I strongly urge the Lord Chancellor to reconsider the arrangements as it is patently ridiculous that there is no overnight remand court in a county the size of Shropshire.”

“It has led to defendants being held in cells longer than necessary and also led to some people having logistically complex journeys home following their court appearance, which will only add to their stress.

“It also goes against the core principle of local justice for local people and means a more costly system with many cases adjourned in Kidderminster to come back to Shropshire.

“It was much simpler under the old system – defendants could walk from Telford police station to Telford magistrates or be driven to Shrewsbury.”

Crisis talks were held between lawyers and HM Courts and Tribunal Service in July after a series of issues identified in the courts. But calls for the new system to be scrapped were dismissed.

A HM Courts and Tribunal Service spokesman said the new system was set up to "improve waiting times for victims and witnesses". He added: "As a result of this initiative, additional trial courts have been listed which will reduce these waiting times. The Judicial Business Group will continue to work with all our partners.”