Almost 9,800 Sex Crime Cases Languish in UK's Broken Court System.

The criminal justice system in the UK is facing a crisis, with a record backlog of almost 67,000 cases in the crown courts, including nearly 9,800 sexual offense cases. Delays in trials have become increasingly common, with some cases being postponed for years. The backlog is attributed to a combination of factors, including fewer court sessions, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, a lack of specialist barristers, and crumbling court buildings. The delays have had a devastating impact on victims, defendants, and witnesses, eroding trust in the justice system. The government has been criticized for its failure to address the underlying issues and provide adequate resources. The opposition Labour Party has pledged to restore basic services and introduce specialist rape courts if elected. [Extracted from the article]

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