Greater scrutiny of 'unwell' defendants needed, says Black Country MP
The law and court system needs to be reformed so defendants are unable to avoid prosecution indefinitely by feigning illness, a leading Black Country MP has said.
West Bromwich East MP Tom Watson wants greater scrutiny of court cases which never get off the ground because the defendant is deemed too ill to stand trial.
He is concerned that decisions are taken in closed court rooms between legal counsel and judges, and that defendants could be feigning poor health or later recover and face no further action.
Mr Watson, who has been a leading campaigner on historical child exploitation cases, has been meeting with lawyers to discuss how the law and court process could be changed.
He said: "At the moment it is the victims who have to fight against the system to get justice. I am concerned there have been cases where the court has been misled and the case has not proceeded when defendants seem to have recovered."
It comes as the Crown Prosecution Service reviews secretly recorded video footage that shows a former Wolverhampton headteacher joking and reciting poetry at a public talk just months after his trial was halted on health grounds.
Former Tettenhall College headteacher Colin Cope was charged with 11 sexual offences against children aged 11 to 13.
But a jury at Shrewsbury Crown Court never got to hear any of the evidence because Judge Robin Onions stayed the case on Cope's health grounds and ruled the long passage of time – more than 35 years – since the offences were said to have taken place, created difficulties for the defendant to challenge the prosecution case.
Cope denied any wrongdoing.
Tettenhall College paid £129,000 to settle civil action by five former pupils, including Andrew Wood and Mark Shelton - who have waived their right to anonymity to speak out.
They are calling for a local inquiry to be held investigating historical child sex abuse at Tettenhall College dating back to the 60s and 70s.
Mr Watson said: "I have a great deal of sympathy with them in that they are having to fight the system in order to get the justice they deserve. I have met with lawyers who have represented other survivors to see if we can get the law or the system changed."
The school stresses the allegations date back more than 40 years.
In a statement the school said: "We would like to add that Tettenhall College would fully cooperate with any further inquiries arising."
