Fury over plan to allow defendants who snub court hearings to take part over SKYPE instead 

Fury over plan to allow defendants who snub court hearings to take part over SKYPE instead

  • Judges would contact prison guards using a device equipped with the video app
  • Idea raised by Lord Justice Leveson in meeting of senior figures earlier this year
  • Comes after concerns over high number of defendants refusing to stand in dock

Allowing jailed defendants who refuse to go to court the option of Skyping judges would be an insult to victims, justice campaigners said last night.

Under the proposal, judges would use a smartphone or tablet equipped with a video app to contact a prison guard.

The officer would answer the call and hold up the device to the inmate in their cell, allowing them to hear proceedings and speak to the judge if necessary.

Under the proposal, judges would use a smartphone or tablet equipped with a video app to contact a prison guard who would answer the call and hold up the device to the inmate in their cell

It comes after concerns by top judges that increasing numbers of defendants are refusing to stand in the dock.

It means they cannot enter pleas or answer questions about their cases, which risks holding up proceedings.

But Harry Fletcher, of the Victims’ Rights Campaign, told the Daily Mail: ‘This is an insult to victims. 

‘Those accused who will not attend court will also refuse to use the video call, and guards will not be able to force them to comply.’

The idea was raised by Lord Justice Leveson in a meeting of senior figures earlier this year.

Minutes state: ‘He saw no reason in principle why a defendant should not be treated as appearing before court if a device using Skype or similar software were taken into their cell.’

The idea was raised by Lord Justice Leveson in a meeting of senior figures earlier this year after concerns by top judges that increasing numbers of defendants are refusing to stand in the dock

The idea was raised by Lord Justice Leveson in a meeting of senior figures earlier this year after concerns by top judges that increasing numbers of defendants are refusing to stand in the dock

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said there were no current plans to implement it and it remains under discussion.

In May, serial rapist Joseph McCann forced the country’s top magistrate to visit him in prison after he refused to leave his cell at Westminster Magistrates Court for a hearing.

The unprecedented hearing took place in the high-security jail’s healthcare wing with a prosecutor, defence counsel and court clerk also present.    

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