Crime

Welsh minister ‘concerned’ by proposed jury trial restrictions

Published

6 months ago

December 9, 2025

WALES’ top lawyer has vowed to challenge Ministry of Justice proposals to limit appeal rights and scrap jury trials for crimes with a likely sentence of three years or less.

Julie James, who is counsel general, the Welsh Government’s chief legal adviser, committed to raising concerns with UK counterparts because justice is largely non-devolved.

Last week, the Ministry of Justice unveiled plans for judge-only “swift courts” in Wales and England to fast track cases to cut delays due to a backlog in the justice system.

Answering questions in the Senedd today (December 9), Ms James agreed with her Labour colleague Mick Antoniw who described the plans as the “wrong way to go”.

The former solicitor said she would raise the issue during a meeting of the inter-ministerial group (IMG) on justice, a UK-wide forum which she was due to chair later in the week.

Mr Antoniw told the Senedd: “I think this is the wrong way to go and will not solve the growing backlog problem. Jury trials have been a cornerstone of our justice system.

“Juries are a check and balance on judges, as well as a protection for the independence of the judiciary, and they give ownership to part of the judicial system into the hands of the people, so we restrict them at our peril.”

Mr Antoniw, a former trade union lawyer and counsel general, urged his successor to press for access to justice, investment in court infrastructure and the devolution of justice powers.

Ms James responded: “I personally am particularly concerned about the proposals to limit the rights of appeal from magistrates’ courts to points of law only at the same time as increasing magistrates’ sentencing powers.

“So, there are a number of things in the system that we will be raising at the IMG and more generally. Because although it is a reserved matter, of course it directly impacts on a number of things that are devolved.”

Rhys ab Owen, a former criminal barrister who sits as an independent, pointed to previous comments from David Lammy, the Deputy Prime Minister and UK justice secretary.

He said: “’Jury trials are a fundamental part of the democratic settlement, criminal trials without juries are a bad idea… those aren’t my words – that’s a tweet written by David Lammy back in 2020.”

He argued the figures are skewed due to “huge” backlogs in big English cities.

Mr ab Owen was similarly concerned by proposals to limit rights of appeal as he recalled some “baffling” decisions made by magistrates.

He told Senedd Members: “The truth is if this was a proposal by a Conservative government, there would be outrage in this place.”

Mr ab Owen also raised comments from Karl Turner, a Labour MP, who described the proposals as the “daftest idea” that any justice secretary could have come up with.

Pressed on whether she agreed, Ms James said: “I agree that there are serious questions to be asked about the UK Government’s proposals… I also agree the right to trial by jury is a hugely important protection for defendants, I absolutely do.

“Victims need to be assured that justice is delivered effectively but in an unbiased way, and that the punishment fits the crime.”

She stressed that trial delays also impact victims, defendants and witnesses, so “it’s absolutely right to look at ways of speeding up that process”.

Ms James told Senedd Members there are no significant delays in magistrates’ courts and crown court performance in Wales has consistently been considered among the best.

She explained trials in Wales are currently being listed into 2026 and 2027, compared with London where listings are currently well into 2030.

Criticising a “disappointing” lack of consultation before the announcement, the counsel general said: “These are proposals at the moment, there’s a long way until they become law [but] we will be making our feelings known on it.”

Crime

Mid Wales peace activist arrested outside court after Palestine Action ruling

Published

18 hours ago

June 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MID WALES peace activist Angie Zelter was arrested outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London after holding a placard in support of Palestine Action.

The 75-year-old campaigner, from Knucklas, Powys, was detained at around 12:20pm on the steps of the court, according to Radnor Palestine Links.

The group said Ms Zelter was arrested under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 after holding a sign which read: “Saving lives is not terrorism. I support Palestine Action.”

She was taken to Charing Cross Police Station and released around two hours later, the group said.

The arrest came as the Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the UK Government over its decision to proscribe Palestine Action under terrorism legislation.

The ruling overturned an earlier High Court decision which had found the ban unlawful. The Court of Appeal held that the Government’s decision was lawful and proportionate.

Palestine Action was banned after the Home Secretary moved to proscribe the group under the Terrorism Act 2000. Supporting or inviting support for a proscribed organisation can be a criminal offence.

Radnor Palestine Links said the protest formed part of an ongoing campaign against the use of counter-terrorism laws against peaceful demonstrators.

Ms Zelter, a long-standing peace and human rights campaigner, has been arrested more than 100 times worldwide during decades of non-violent direct action. She is also known as a founder of Trident Ploughshares.

Speaking after her arrest, Ms Zelter said: “I think it’s a terrible indictment of the criminal justice system that you are charging me with terrorism for holding a peaceful sign.

“We have to uphold the most important international laws. Peaceful, disruptive protest is absolutely essential to protect democracy.”

The Metropolitan Police has been asked to confirm the circumstances of the arrest, whether Ms Zelter was formally charged, and the conditions of her release.

Photo caption: Court protest: Angie Zelter outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London holding a sign in support of Palestine Action (Pic: Radnor Palestine Links).

Crime

Llangadog man fined after breaching restraining order twice

Published

23 hours ago

June 15, 2026

Court Reporter

Court hears defendant contacted protected person despite ban

A LLANGADOG man has been fined £1,375 after twice breaching a restraining order by contacting a protected person he had been banned from approaching.

Adam Thomas Davies, 34, of Llangadog, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Jun 15) for proceedings linked to an existing community order.

The court heard Davies had breached a restraining order on two separate occasions in June last year by contacting a person he had been prohibited from approaching under an order imposed by Llanelli Magistrates’ Court in November 2019.

Magistrates were told the original community order, imposed in August 2025, had become unworkable due to long-term physical health issues alongside Davies’ employment.

The court revoked the existing order and resentenced him for the original offences.

Davies was made subject to a new community order running until June 14, 2027. He must comply with a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and attend appointments or activities as directed by probation services, for up to 15 days.

As a punitive element of the order, magistrates imposed a fine of £1,375.

The court heard the breaches related to unlawful contact made in Carmarthenshire despite the restrictions remaining in force.

Davies was ordered to pay the fine at a rate of £120 per month, starting from July 13.

Crime

Road safety grant fund launched for community projects

Published

24 hours ago

June 15, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

COMMUNITY groups, charities and local organisations across the Dyfed-Powys area are being invited to apply for funding for projects aimed at improving road safety.

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn has launched a new Road Safety Community Grant Fund to support local initiatives designed to reduce risks on the roads, raise awareness and encourage safer behaviour among drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

The fund will support preventative projects led by communities, including education and awareness programmes, behaviour-change campaigns, road safety events, training and skills development, and evidence-led pilot schemes.

Applications will be assessed on their potential to improve road safety, provide value for money and deliver clear community benefits.

Mr Llywelyn said: “Keeping our communities safe on our roads is a fundamental part of our wider mission to protect the public and reduce harm.

“By investing in community-led initiatives, we are empowering local organisations to deliver practical, innovative solutions that improve road safety, change behaviours, and ultimately save lives.”

The fund forms part of the commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan for 2025-2029, which includes commitments to preventing harm, supporting safer communities and working in partnership on issues affecting local people.

Further details, including eligibility criteria and how to apply, are available on the Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner’s website.

The fund closes at 10:00pm on Sunday, July 19.