The criminal court of first instance in England and Wales
Two cases of police misconduct and grooming by church figures have led to prison sentences or suspensions. A former Cambridgeshire officer has been jailed for misconduct in public office and encouraging a toxic WhatsApp culture, while a ex-church leader was convicted of sexual offences against vulnerable youths, with sentencing set to follow.
The government has announced specialist courtrooms for rape and serious sexual offences will be rolled out to every crown court within two years, with private entrances and trauma-informed training for staff. Trials will be fixed to dates, and funding is set to support victims through the national rape and sexual abuse support fund.
The government has reversed Keir Starmer-era plans to curb jury trials for cases likely to yield sentences under three years, amid a backlog crisis that implicates victims and defendants. Justice Secretary Alex Norris says the change responds to strong public concern, maintaining some judge-only powers for complex cases while expanding magistrates’ scope in less serious matters.