Urgent Repairs Needed as Taunton Crown Court Closure Nears Two Years Wednesday, August 20, 2025 taunton crowncourt repairs shirehall somerset ministryofjustice structuralissues justice gideonamos restoration Taunton Crown Court, housed within the historic Shire Hall on Upper High Street, Somerset, has been closed since September 2023 after contractors uncovered serious structural problems with the flooring. The Grade II listed … Read More
Court Overhaul Could End Jury Trials for Serious Crimes Amid Record Backlog Wednesday, July 9, 2025 justice backlog leveson courts reform jury crowncourt magistrates delays trials The British judicial system is grappling with an unprecedented backlog of nearly 77,000 cases in Crown Courts, with some hearings delayed until 2029. This growing crisis has sparked calls for sweeping reforms aimed at … Read More
Ex-Teacher Derek Barker Faces Trial for 1970s Sexual Offences at Monkton Combe School Thursday, May 22, 2025 monktoncombe derekbarker sexualoffences historicalabuse courtcase bath crowncourt teacher trial 1970s Derek Barker, a former teacher at Monkton Combe School in Bath, has appeared in court accused of committing sexual offences against a boy during the 1970s. Now 90 years old and residing in Limpley Stoke, Bath, Barker faces … Read More