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.

Huw Bridges denied the charges but was found guilty by a jury at Swansea Crown Court following a trial

A MAN in his sixties has been convicted of sexually assaulting a teenage girl following a trial at Swansea Crown Court.

Huw Bridges, 65, of Haven Drive, Hakin, denied two counts of sexual assault but was found guilty by a jury after around two-and-a-half hours of deliberations.

The court heard that one incident took place on June 2, 2024, when the complainant, who was aged 16 at the time, was taken by Bridges on his motorbike to a secluded area near Carew Castle.

Prosecutor Hannah George told the jury that the pair went for a walk, during which Bridges kissed the teenager despite her trying to move away and telling him that it made her feel uncomfortable. He then went on to touch her breasts and vagina over her clothing.

The jury was told the teenager reported the incident to her parents almost immediately after returning home. It was then that she also disclosed an earlier allegation, dating from between October 2020 and October 2021, in which Bridges was accused of touching her vagina over her clothing on another occasion.

“The prosecution’s case is that the defendant had a sexual interest in teenage girls,” Ms George said.

Bridges was arrested on June 14, 2024, and later interviewed by police. In a prepared statement, he denied sexually assaulting the complainant.

He accepted that there had been physical contact but claimed he had only put his arm around the teenager and “pecked her on the cheek” in an attempt to comfort her, insisting the gesture was not sexual in nature.

After the jury returned guilty verdicts on both counts, Judge Geraint Walters adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.

Bridges was re-admitted to bail and is now required to register as a sex offender. He is due to return to court for sentencing on Thursday, February 6.

BOSSES at Haverfordwest County AFC have confirmed the club is in the final stages of talks over what has been described as “significant investment” from United States-based backers.

Chairman Rob Edwards has previously made no secret of his ambition to take the Cymru Premier side to “the next level”, with a move towards full-time football and regular European qualification firmly on the agenda.

In a statement issued this week, the club said it was currently in an exclusivity period with a US investment fund and that negotiations were at an advanced stage.

The statement said: “The club is in the latter stages of an agreement during an exclusivity period regarding significant investment in the club from a US-based investment fund.

“The club has been clear about its desire to raise investment to fulfil its ambition to move towards full-time football and to compete in the latter stages of qualifying for UEFA competition. Talks have been ongoing with a party that buys into the same vision.

“The club hopes to make further announcements in due course.”

Since Edwards took over as chairman in the summer of 2020, Haverfordwest have enjoyed a remarkable rise. Now established in the Cymru Premier, the Bluebirds have qualified for the UEFA Europa Conference League twice in the past three seasons, while the club’s academy side has also represented Wales in Europe.

Haverfordwest have also developed a reputation as one of the most progressive clubs in Welsh domestic football. Among those to have passed through the club is current Club Brugge head coach Nicky Hayen, who was in charge during the 2021–22 season.

However, with the Cymru Premier set to expand from 12 to 16 teams next season, Edwards has acknowledged that further investment — or potentially a full takeover — will be needed if the club is to remain competitive and continue challenging for European qualification.

Away from Pembrokeshire, Edwards’ company, Morley Sports Management Group, recently completed a takeover of Scottish League 1 side Hamilton Academical. Following that move, Edwards said the Scottish club remained at risk of administration but expressed confidence that insolvency could be avoided.

For Haverfordwest, the proposed US investment could mark a pivotal moment as the club looks to build on recent success and secure its long-term future at the top end of Welsh football.