Speak up for justice
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by Gemma Constable
Magistrates are urging anyone with an interest
in keeping justice local to voice their opposition to the plan to
shut the Sittingbourne court.
The Ministry of Justice has announced its
intention to close the court in Park Road, Sittingbourne, as part
of a cost-cutting plan to close over 100 magistrates’ courts across
the country.
Keith Woolley JP said magistrates and other
court users are far from content with the proposal to use
Canterbury and Medway courts instead, which would impact on not
only defendants, but victims, witnesses and staff, especially those
who rely on public transport.
“Any suggestion that this move will improve
efficiency and save money is entirely wrong and if we, the public
of Swale, let this happen we should be ashamed of ourselves,” he
said. “The truth is, it is going to cost far more to cover the
expense of sending court personnel to these other locations.
“Where is the sense in making someone from,
say, Eastchurch, attend Medway Magistrates’ Court in Chatham to
enforce a £10 underpaid fine when it will cost over £20 in fares to
get there?
“The arguments put forward about under-use and
poor maintenance of the Sittingbourne court building are an
admission of poor management by the court’s service and these
should not be used to penalise the public.”
He said when the Sheerness courthouse was
closed in 1998, it was agreed to on the condition that
Sittingbourne would be improved and maintained.
Mr Woolley said: “Time passes and it appears
that promises mean nothing but I believe that the people of Swale
should have their own courthouse and the local council should help
provide and maintain this important facility.
“Only by the public fighting to maintain their
vital services will anything be preserved.
“The louder we protest, the more chance we
have of keeping local justice local.”
Another JP, Mick Constable from Queenborough,
agreed: “This is not the first time Sittingbourne court has been
under threat. Local justice works and has done so for many
years.
“It’s important that people have their say now
before it is too late.”
The Kent Branch of the Magistrates’
Association is also mounting a campaign against the move and has
written to borough and county councillors for the Island asking for
their support.
Robert Howe, branch secretary of the
Magistrates’ Association, said: “It is not only defendants who are
affected, there are also victims, witnesses, support workers, young
people and their parents attending Youth Court and many others who
would have to travel the extra miles, with a return journey
of over two hours if using public transport.
“Many people in Sheppey are not well off and
the seven or eight pounds in rail fares would make a big hole in
their budget. No regard has been taken of the social
consequences.
“Of particular concern are the people, often
estranged parents, who have to attend Family Proceedings
Courts.
“This is the latest and most drastic move on
the part of successive administrations to dilute the principle of
local justice administered by local magistrates who know and
understand their community.
“It looks like a case of knowing the price of
everything and the value of nothing.”
Wednesday, July 28 2010
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