Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.An Old Bailey judge today spoke out about the "shambles" in the criminal justice system caused by "failures by the Crown Prosecution Service".
Judge Jeremy Roberts made the remarks after blunders meant he had to put back the trial of a man accused of a violent offence 18 months ago.
He apologised to the defendant and said it was not the first case in which mistakes by the CPS had caused problems.
The judge ordered a transcript of the hearing to be sent to the Lord Chancellor and the Director of Public Prosecutions "so that they can see what has been happening in the courts".
He said: "It just simply looks awful to members of the public who come to these courts expecting to see justice done and cases heard properly, and then they see the kind of shambles which has occurred in this case and others."
The judge told the defendant, who is on bail: "I am sorry your case can't go ahead today. It is not a good advertisement for our criminal justice system that this has happened."
The case was put back because of problems with witnesses and failure to disclose evidence to the defence.
Judge Roberts said: "I am sure this won't be the last case where we have similar problems."
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments