In Leicester, a crown court faces staggering delays, leaving victims and families in limbo as cases stretch into years without resolution.
Imagine a guy bursting out of court, cursing because his brother-in-law won’t go to prison for sexually assaulting his daughters. That’s how tense things can get. The family had to fight just to get the case heard after it was postponed from January to November. The girls, so young, were left in tears in the hallway.
This case, while distressing, is actually one of the quicker ones. Some folks are waiting four years or more for their day in court. It’s wild to think that trials set for 2026 are already on the books. The backlog is expected to hit 100,000 cases if the government doesn’t step in.
Last year, a shocking number of sexual offense trials in the Midlands were postponed because there were no barristers available. It’s a far cry from just a few years ago when that wasn’t an issue. The prosecutor for the girls’ case had to reach out to 150 barristers to find someone to take it on. Can you believe that?
The judge, Keith Raynor, had to give a suspended sentence to the uncle, which included community service. He mentioned that delays are now just a part of the system. The uncle, now a convicted sex offender, left the court with a suitcase he packed for prison, but he didn’t have to go.
While some courtrooms are empty, others are packed. Court 99 doesn’t even exist; it’s just a placeholder for cases that can’t be heard. Mary Prior, a barrister, shared that her days start at 4 am, and she’s juggling multiple cases in a single day. It’s a tough gig.
Then there’s M, a man charged with serious offenses who’s been waiting over two years for his trial, now pushed to 2026. He’s not in custody, so his case isn’t a priority. The Ministry of Justice admits the system is in crisis, but they’re trying to add more court days.
But optimism is hard to find. Many trials are being pushed back, and it’s all due to underfunding. One barrister shared a story about a client who spent over a year in jail waiting for a trial that kept getting delayed. He was finally acquitted but had lost so much time.
For those on bail, the situation is even worse. One young man accused of rape is now 24 and still waiting for his trial, which has been delayed multiple times. It’s heartbreaking to see lives put on hold like this.
Philip Gibbs, a seasoned barrister, feels the system is broken. He’s dealing with cases that are being delayed for years, and it’s taking a toll on everyone involved. As the day winds down, the court is nearly empty, and the stress of the situation hangs in the air. If things don’t change soon, many in the legal field might just walk away for better opportunities.