Court delays lead to victims walking away - PCC
Matthew Scott says there are a number of challenges in Kent courts
- Published
Crown court backlogs in Kent are causing victims to walk away from prosecutions, according to the county's police and crime commissioner.
Matthew Scott says the increased number of charges, insufficient court capacity and a shortage of staff are causing significant delays.
One victim, who had to wait five years from the time his abuser was charged to eventually being jailed, says the justice system "is in disarray", causing "turmoil" for survivors and their families.
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) says it is committed to reducing the number of outstanding cases, adding the system has been under enormous strain for many years.
Victims will 'walk away'
Mr Scott says a business case has been submitted to build two more jury courtrooms at Maidstone Crown Court where the number of outstanding court cases is nearly three times pre-pandemic levels.
He has also recommended a South East allowance for court staff, to compete with the London allowance and to increase recruitment.
Speaking before the Kent and Medway Police and Crime Panel hosted by Kent County Council, Mr Scott explained that the caseloads in Kent's criminal courts have increased by 164% between February 2020 and June 2024.
The national increase in the same period was 61%.
Kent's caseload is the second worst in the country, only behind Manchester.
Mr Scott said: "We need to do everything we can to keep people in the process because I'm worried that more people are going to walk away."
He says extra support is in place for victims in Kent who are in the position of waiting for their cases to go to trial.
Meanwhile, the temporary Nightingale Court in Maidstone which was opened during the pandemic to provide more space for hearings, closed in March.
The then-Conservative government said it was no longer needed and there was capacity at the town's permanent crown court.
Justice system 'in disarray'
Matt Hayward reported his abuser to police seven years ago
Matt Hayward waited five years from the date his abuser was charged to his sentencing, with the trial being adjourned four times.
Michael Turton, 77, from Cavendish in Suffolk, was given a suspended prison sentence for indecent assault in the 1980s.
The judge in his case referred to prison overcrowding when handing down the sentence.
Mr Hayward was 10 years old at the time of the abuse.
He said: "These delays mean survivors cannot get on with their lives.
"It just creates turmoil. It causes real issues for survivors of sexual abuse," he said.
"It's been incredibly difficult for my whole family, they've lived through this with me."
Mr Hayward says he feels the prison system and the justice system "is in disarray".
The Law Society president Nick Emmerson says "justice delayed is justice denied"
Nick Emmerson, president of The Law Society said: "In the South East there are over 13,000 cases waiting to be heard, where victims are being denied the justice they deserve. "
"The system is already overloaded with backlogs that existed before the pandemic, during and after so dealing with those backlogs is absolutely key," he added.
The Law Society is calling for more investment in the criminal justice system.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: "We are committed to reducing the number of outstanding cases and bringing down waiting times.”
It added addressing the crown court record caseload is a priority.
Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, external, on X, external, and on Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to southeastinvestigationsteam@bbc.co.uk, external, or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.