Judge: “I won’t be here and I can’t say I’m that disappointed”

Court Report: 28/08/2020 @ Snaresbrook Crown Court

I’m before His Honour Judge M Shanks for the sentencing of a rather difficult case.  A case so difficult even the judge doesn’t want to deal with it.

Counsel and the defendant are all due to attend remotely using the Skype for Business platform.  Things are not off to a good start as the Judge cannot activate his webcam and the Prosecutor cannot activate his microphone. 

All issues that eventually get sorted out.

The defendant has very recently moved prison and the court hears there are no video booth slots available for them to dial in.

I’m not going to name the exact offence here suffice to say that it falls under the remit of the Sexual Offences Act 1956 so therefore is subject to reporting restrictions. 

The public interest here is not the details of the case but the courts attitude towards it.

The judge calls for an officer of the probation service to attend court to provide guidance on what outcomes are available to the court.  The judge surmises that the defendant has “offended in all kinds of ways” and so might require specialist help in order to prevent reoffending.

The judge reads from a report that he could make an order under the “Offender Rehabilitation Act 2014” exclaiming “Never heard of it!”.

Luckily the probation officer is able to advise the changes this act brought in.

Due to many factors the sentencing is adjourned.  The date chosen is somewhat convenient for the judge who remarks “I’m not here and I can’t say I’m that disappointed”.

One hopes the next judge is slightly more enthusiastic.