THE backlog in crown court cases has been described as “really unfair” for victims of crime and the wrongly accused, according to a leading barrister for the region.

Ministry of Justice figures show that at the end of December 2020, the latest data available, Bournemouth Crown Court had 647 outstanding cases.

This was an increase of 7.3 per cent from the end of September last year and 44.1 per cent at the end of 2019, when there were 449.

Meanwhile, the number of cases concluded following a trial or sentencing hearing between October and December 2020 stood at 279.

This was an increase of 38.8 per cent from the 201 cases dealt with in the previous quarter. The year-on-year figure for quarter four was down slightly from 286.

Last month, the watchdog for the Crown Prosecution Service warned that the caseload for prosecutors nationally is increasing at an alarming rate and this could have “major consequences” for victims and witnesses.

Kate Brunner QC, leader of the western circuit, which represents the interests of barristers in the south and south west of England, said the backlog in the region’s crown courts was “far too high even before the pandemic”.

She said it is now at a level which means witnesses and others have to wait years for cases to be finished.

“That is really unfair on victims of crime, and also unfair on people who are accused of offences wrongly,” said Ms Brunner QC.

“All of the lawyers and judges in the region have been working extremely hard throughout the pandemic to get cases heard – our courts were only closed for a few months right at the start of the crisis.

“Fewer trials can be heard than normal because everyone in the court building has to socially distance, and so we can’t fit in as many people and can’t deal with as many cases.

“There really is only one answer which is to increase the number of court rooms which can hear trials. That can be done by opening Nightingale Courts – courtrooms in other buildings.

“It can also be done by employing Recorders, who are part-time judges, to deal with administrative cases by remote link, which frees up courtrooms for trials.

“The government has to ensure that it funds the criminal justice system properly from now on- the pandemic really highlighted problems which have been years in the making.”

Dame Vera Baird, the Victim’s Commissioner, said victim hubs were under increasing pressure due to delays in the justice system.

“They are carrying higher caseloads as victims remain in the justice system for longer,” she said.

“Hub staff are also having to work harder to persuade victims not to withdraw from supporting the prosecution as a result of delays.”

A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice said: “We are spending £450 million to deliver speedier justice for victims and this is already having an impact – outstanding magistrates’ cases have fallen by 50,000 since last summer and crown court cases reached pre-Covid levels in December.

“More jury trials are being heard every week, with video hearings and new Nightingale courts boosting capacity while we invest record amounts in victim support.”