Rape victims to be spared court appearances to help save them from reliving trauma

Trial scheme of pre-recorded cross-examinations hailed a success

Elizabeth Truss argued that children in particular would benefit from giving evidence in 'a less intimidating environment' (PA)

Victims and witnesses will be spared the pain of re-living traumatic events in open court, ministers have promised.

A trial scheme allowing cross-examinations to be recorded earlier, then broadcast during the trial itself, has been hailed a success and will be extended across the country.

The shake-up will also see people able to plead guilty to some minor offences online and “legal jargon will be replaced by simple language”.

Justice Secretary, Elizabeth Truss argued that children, in particular, would benefit from being able to give evidence in “a less intimidating environment”.

She said: “We have the tools and the technology to cut unnecessary paperwork, to deliver swifter justice and to make the experience more straightforward.

“Most importantly these reforms will allow us to better protect victims and witnesses who can find the experience of re-living a traumatic event in court incredibly stressful.”

Ms Truss said the ability to plead guilty to minor offences online would begin with fare dodging on public transport, with the fines also paid over the internet.

Defendants will log on to see the evidence against them, before entering their plea. A guilty plea will allow them to view the penalty, accept it - and pay their fine.

The new technology would allow cases to be dealt with more quickly and allow magistrates and courts to focus their attentions “where they are most needed”.

The Ministry of Justice said the successful trials - in Liverpool, Leeds and Kingston-upon-Thames, in London – had mostly involved sexual offences.

They had shown that victims “felt less pressure” and that witnesses “were better able to recall events” when their evidence was pre-recorded.

The changes are part of a £700m programme to reform and modernise Britain’s ageing courts and tribunal system.

More than 12 million pages of evidence have been put online and video link systems have been installed in 130 Crown Courts, officials said.

Rachel Krys, co-director of End Violence Against Women, told The Independent: "Anything which makes it easier for women or children to give evidence in court is welcome.

"Women and children who have experienced sexual violence or abuse can find the criminal justice system incredibly difficult, and giving evidence in the same room as their abuser traumatic.

"There has been progress in the last decade but there needs to be a significant change to the way victims are treated to ensure they are able to give evidence and achieve justice.

"This is a step in the right direction – but we need these measures to be accompanied by investment in the specialist services which work with women and children who've survived violence and can help them in and out of the courtroom."