Crown courts to allow pre-recorded evidence
Recently it has been reported in the Law Gazette that Crown Courts will be equipped by the end of the year to let witnesses give pre-recorded evidence.
The Government made the announcement to protect vulnerable victims and witnesses.
Judges will decide pre-recorded evidence on a case-by-case basis.
Dame Vera Baird, Victims’ Commissioner, welcomed the latest development.
She said: ‘I have long been concerned that children who complained of victimisation should not spend a long part of their childhood beset with the worry of ultimately giving an account of what happened. If they can give their evidence at an early stage, they will then be free to get on with their lives. There is also a further point that therapy is often delayed whilst a complainant is a witness.’