MP backs specialist rape court in Plymouth to tackle backlog
Luke Pollard MP has today written to the Justice Secretary, urging Plymouth to be made a ‘priority location’
Luke Pollard MP has today (21 September) written to the Justice Secretary, urging Plymouth to be made a ‘priority location’, in the roll-out of specialist courts, for cases of rape and serious sex offences (RSSO).
The government announced today that every Crown Court in England and Wales will get at least one courtroom, especially set up to hear rape and serious sexual offence cases.
Luke said Plymouth should be a ‘priority location’ for the roll-out of the specialist RSSO courts, given the extensive backlog in hearing RSSO cases, in Devon and Cornwall.
Victims of rape in Devon and Cornwall wait, on average, 753 days from making a police report to their case being heard in court, with too many victims withdrawing before their case is heard.
As well as speeding up hearings and clearing backlogs, the new specialist courts are designed to encourage more victims to come forward, providing them with private entrances and waiting rooms, as well as facilities equipped to pre-record evidence and observe sentencing remotely.
MP for Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport, Luke Pollard,said: “It’s shameful that victims of rape in Plymouth are being left waiting years, for their attacker to be brought to justice.
“Today, I've written to the Justice Secretary, urging Plymouth and the South West to be made a priority location, in the roll-out of new specialist courts for rape and sex offence cases.
“Plymouth has been rocked by horrific sexual violence too often. Our city must be at the front of this roll-out of specialist courts, so we can deliver justice to victims.”