Crime

Lammy defends curbs on jury trials amid Labour backlash

Published

1 month ago

January 12, 2026

Justice secretary says reforms are needed to tackle court delays as senior MP threatens by-election

JUSTICE SECRETARY David Lammy has defended plans to restrict the use of jury trials, arguing the changes are necessary to reduce growing delays and “save the criminal justice system”, as opposition mounts within Labour ranks.

The proposals, which would remove the automatic right to a jury trial for offences carrying a likely prison sentence of three years or less, have sparked a rebellion from backbench MPs and concern among parts of the legal profession.

Speaking on Monday (Jan 12), Mr Lammy said the Crown Court backlog in England and Wales — now standing at around 80,000 cases — could not be cleared without significant reform. He said the measures were designed to ensure the system was “fit for purpose” and capable of delivering justice more quickly for victims and defendants alike.

Mr Lammy recently visited Canada to examine its use of judge-only trials, where many criminal cases are heard without a jury. He said the approach had operated there for decades and was “very normal”, adding that in some cases defendants preferred being tried by a single judge.

He said he was open to a “sunset clause” that would make the changes temporary, allowing Parliament to review their impact. He said he hoped the backlog would be significantly reduced by 2029, ahead of the next general election, and cleared entirely by the mid-2030s.

However, the plans have triggered a fierce response from Labour MP Karl Turner, a former shadow attorney general and practising criminal barrister. Mr Turner has warned he would consider resigning from Parliament to force a by-election unless the proposals are dropped.

Breaking the Labour whip for the first time since entering the Commons in 2010, Mr Turner sided with the Conservatives in a protest vote against the reforms. He accused the Government of undermining a cornerstone of the justice system and told Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, himself a former director of public prosecutions, that he “ought to be ashamed”.

In interviews with The Sunday Times and Times Radio, Mr Turner said he was “completely ashamed” of the proposals and claimed Mr Lammy had been misled by civil servants pushing for long-standing changes.

He also warned that a by-election in his Hull East seat, which he won with a majority of 3,920 in 2024, could be vulnerable to Reform UK.

Despite the growing unease on the Labour benches, the Government is expected to press ahead with legislation, insisting the reforms are essential to prevent further delays and restore confidence in the criminal courts.

Crime

Man who threw corrosive liquid at guest and fled abroad jailed

Published

11 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Court Reporter

A BUSINESSMAN who threw a corrosive liquid into a guest’s face during a row at a spiritual retreat before fleeing the country has been jailed for 18 months.

Dean Mayze, aged 38, from Abercrave in Powys, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm following the attack at his Hafan-y-Coed retreat in December 2022.

Swansea Crown Court heard the assault happened after an argument with guest Keifer Price, who had complained about the condition of his accommodation, including a lack of heating and washing facilities.

During the confrontation, Mayze produced a blue container and threw its contents upwards into the victim’s face.

The liquid — described as smelling like ammonia — entered Mr Price’s eyes, nose and mouth, leaving him in severe pain and struggling to breathe.

Medical evidence confirmed injuries consistent with a chemical burn to both eyes. He suffered abrasions, a corneal defect and the loss of the outer corneal layer in one eye, requiring significant treatment to prevent permanent sight loss. He has since recovered without lasting injury.

Fled across Europe

Following the attack, Mayze fled the UK, triggering an international search.

The court heard he travelled across several European countries, including Ireland, France, Italy, Croatia and Greece, before eventually being arrested in Romania in 2025.

Despite being on the run, he remained in regular contact with police by text and email, at one point telling officers he would not be returning to Wales.

His partner initially claimed responsibility for the assault and later received a suspended prison sentence after admitting perverting the course of justice.

Previous conviction

The court was told Mayze has a previous conviction for wounding involving a corrosive substance in Kent in 2013.

Defence barrister Andrew Taylor said his client had experienced harsh conditions while detained in Romania, including contracting scabies without treatment, and described him as remorseful.

However, Judge Geraint Walters said it was “pure luck” the victim had not suffered permanent injuries, describing the attack as a “particularly wicked way of inflicting violence”.

Sentence and order

Mayze, who appeared via video link from prison, had previously denied a more serious charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

He was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment and made subject to a three-year restraining order.

Crime

Police appeal after man injured in St Davids incident

Published

16 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE are appealing for witnesses following an incident in St Davids which left one man injured.

The incident happened in Nun Street at around 11:10am on Tuesday, December 30. The injured man was taken to hospital for treatment.

Officers confirmed that a man has been arrested on suspicion of assault in connection with the incident.

Police are now asking anyone with information, dash cam footage, or CCTV that could assist the investigation to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online at:
https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us-beta/contact-us/

Alternatively, email [email protected], send a direct message via social media, or call 101 quoting reference DP20251230094.

Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.

Crime

Sexual assault allegation to be tried

Published

17 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Tamsin Mathias

Accused granted conditional bail

A SEXUAL assault allegation has been listed for trial following a hearing before magistrates.

David Fletcher, 45, of Chestnut Way, Mount Estate, Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, appeared before magistrates in Llanelli on Thursday (Feb 12) charged with sexual assault, contrary to section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

The charge alleges that on March 16, 2025, at Johnston, Pembrokeshire, he intentionally touched a woman aged 16 or over and that the touching was sexual when she did not consent and he did not reasonably believe that she was consenting.

The matter was adjourned for trial and Fletcher was remanded on conditional bail.

The trial is listed for March 9, 2026 at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court. Bail conditions prohibit him from entering a specified premises in Johnston, from contacting directly or indirectly the complainant or any prosecution witnesses, and from posting any information relating to the investigation on social media. The conditions were imposed to prevent further offending and to prevent interference with witnesses or obstruction of justice.