North Devon Court Closure Threat

There are fears that criminal cases will no longer be heard at Barnstaple magistrates court.

Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service has announced plans to cut the number of criminal cases heard at Barnstaple Magistrates.

But the plan has infuriated North Devon District Council and  solicitor groups because the consultation period ended before they  had time to voice their full objections.

They fear justice won't be done if defendants, witnesses and solicitors have to travel over a hundred miles round-trip to Exeter Magistrates. 

And they are worried that minds may already have been made up - because a notice has gone up on the court door saying that there will be no more 'listings'  of cases from October.

Council leader Brian Greenslade  has been talking to our reporter Wendy Buckingham CLICK HERE