Jodie Smith
BBC News

While I was waiting to come into court, I overheard staff mentioning that papers for some cases hadn’t yet arrived, just a short time before proceedings were due to get under way.

Image source, Newscast

But the moment they said it, the papers were carried in through the front door in what looked like pizza delivery cases.

At least, I think it was court papers inside. It’s a bit early for a stuffed crust.

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

This morning, courts two and four at Stevenage Magistrates' are set to deal with people charged with fraud, theft, assault, racially aggravated abuse and driving and drugs offences.

Jodie Smith
BBC News

Court two at Stevenage Magistrates' is getting ready for a busy day.

Looking at the listings, it's the first hearing for most cases.

But one man's case is listed for the 18th time. He faces a charge of assault by beating.

Lee Agnew
BBC Three Counties Radio

The top stories so far today:

• Five men from Buckinghamshire, and another from Bradford, are due to be sentenced this morning for the sexual abuse of two schoolgirls 

• A BBC investigation has found a big increase in the time it takes for a case to go through the courts in Bedfordshire
• A cyclist has died after falling from his bike in Hertfordshire 

Jodie Smith
BBC News

As you might expect, getting into a magistrates' court can take some time.

Everyone entering the building has to remove their things from their pockets and walk through an airport-style scanner, which can be a lengthy process.

The man in front of me took a bottle of liquid through, and the security guard asked him to take a sip. When the man asked him why, the security guard replied: "Because if it was alcohol, you wouldn't have been able to swallow it straight down".

Jodie Smith
BBC News

I arrived bright and early at Stevenage Magistrates' Court, just before the doors were opened to the public.

There were a fair few of us outside the building on Deansgate, shivering slightly on a crisp September morning.

I snapped this picture from across the street, but when I stood nearer to the building I was made to delete the photo I'd taken. They're strict here!

Jodie Smith
BBC News

I've just arrived at Stevenage Magistrates' Court as part of today's special edition of Local Live.

I'll be reporting live from the court to see how our criminal justice system is working, what causes delays and the effect this has on suspects and victims.  

Carol Abercrombie
BBC Three Counties Radio

A BBC investigation has found a big increase in the time it takes for a case to go through the courts in Bedfordshire.

Image source, Google

According to figures from the Ministry of Justice, Crown court cases in Luton take on average 250 days - that's almost two months longer than the national average.

The figures also show that magistrates' courts in the county have seen an increase in delays with cases taking on average 81 days to complete - considerably longer than cases being heard in Buckingham and Hertfordshire which are more in line with the national average. This comes at a time when the government plans to close Bedford magistrates' court.

BBC Three Counties Radio

A 46-year-old cyclist has died after falling from his bike in Hertfordshire over the weekend.

The man was cycling with a boy along the Nicky Line cycle route, near Redbourn Golf Course at about 15:30 on Saturday afternoon when, for "unknown reasons", he fell and was taken ill shortly afterwards.

Paramedics were called to the scene but were unable to save him.

BBC Three Counties Radio

Five men from Buckinghamshire, and another from Bradford, are due to be sentenced today at the Old Bailey for the sexual abuse of two schoolgirls over a six-year period in Aylesbury.

Image source, Thames Valley Police

The six to be sentenced, who range in ages from 29 to 38, are Vikram Singh, Asif Hussain, Arshad Jani, Mohammed Imran, Akbari Khan and Taimoor Khan.

Following their convictions in July, the children's charity Barnardo's chief executive Javed Khan said the case sent out an important message that perpetrators of "this horrific crime" had to pay for their actions.

BBC Sport

Stevenage's Lewis Hamilton won the Italian Grand Prix at Monza yesterday, putting him 53 points ahead of his team mate Nico Rosberg, whose engine failed with two laps remaining.

Image source, Getty Images

Hamilton, who was cleared of infringing tyre pressure rules, said: "Nico was really unfortunate... but he is a very strong driver both mentally and physically and he will come back stronger in the next race."    

BBC Weather

It will be chilly at first this morning, but will warm up to leave a dry day with sunny spells and hazy sunshine.

Top temperature: 18C (64F).

Watch the latest forecast, external with Kate Kinsella.  

BBC Travel

The A505 in Royston is partially blocked westbound after the Baldock Road junction due to a car fire.

Get the latest updates from BBC Travel.

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

Today sees a special edition of Local Live, looking at how our criminal justice system is working. Figures obtained by the BBC show lengthening delays in the time taken for cases to be dealt with by magistrates. Funding cuts have contributed to what some are calling a ‘postcode lottery’ in the administration of justice.

Image source, Thinkstock

Amongst our usual mix of news, sport, weather and travel, we’ll be reporting live from Stevenage magistrates’ court throughout the day, letting you know how things are progressing.

As always - if you have something you would like to share then email me, tweet us, external or head to our Facebook page, external.