‘There aren’t enough courtrooms, there aren’t enough judges and there aren’t enough barristers,’ says one judge and barrister.Composite: Guardian Design/Shutterstock A man bursts out of a courtroom, shouting expletives. The judge has just ruled that his brother-in-law will not be going to prison after sexually assaulting his two young daughters. “The justice system is a … Read more
Court backlogs are forcing alleged offenders to spend up to five years in jail awaiting trial and driving innocent people to plead guilty, two prison watchdogs have revealed. Charlie Taylor, the chief inspector of prisons in England and Wales, said some of the 17,000 prisoners on remand had waited nearly five years for their cases … Read more
A man bursts out of a courtroom, shouting expletives. The judge has just ruled that his brother-in-law will not be going to prison after sexually assaulting his two young daughters. “The justice system is a fucking joke,” he bellows, pacing ahead of his family. Another male relative mutters darkly: “We’ll find him.” The trial at … Read more
Police are calling for information after clothing was found in bushland that may be a crucial clue in determining the final movements of a woman who disappeared more than 30 years ago. Police, after searching the Illawarra escarpment at Figtree, found black pants and a cream button-down blouse with white and orange stitching as part … Read more
Victoria police say Friday’s arson attack on the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne is being treated as an act of terrorism. The Victorian police chief commissioner, Shane Patton, made the declaration about Friday’s Ripponlea fire being regarded as a suspected terrorist attack on Monday morning. He said the decision followed advice provided at a meeting … Read more
A mysterious stranger who was spotted on surveillance video with a Hawaii woman who went missing shortly after arriving in Los Angeles has been cleared as a suspect in her disappearance by police, who, after twice questioning the unidentified man, say he did nothing wrong. “For the amount of time they spent together, he pretty … Read more
Police are investigating after a body was found wrapped in plastic and dumped in bushes near Sydney airport. A jogger found the body on Monday morning in the bushes that run alongside Foreshore Road in Botany on Monday morning and reported it to police. Related: CSIRO refutes Coalition case nuclear is cheaper than renewable energy … Read more
Transport for London has confirmed its Christmas and new year timetables, which will mean some disruption for a week and a half. Parts of the Tube and Overground network will be on a reduced service because of planned works, and mainline services from Paddington and Liverpool Street are also affected. However, extra trains have been … Read more
Bewildered and elated prisoners have poured out of Syrian jails, shouting with joy as they emerged from one of the world’s most notorious detention systems and walked to freedom following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s government. All across Syria, families wept as they were reunited with children, siblings, spouses and parents who vanished years ago … Read more
Liverpool enjoyed a positive week at the top of the Premier League table despite not being able to kick a ball in anger. The Reds, who saw their lead cut to seven points following Wednesday’s 3-3 draw with Newcastle, were due to kick off the action on Saturday but saw the final Merseyside derby at … Read more