PLANS to close magistrates’ courts across the country will create a ‘logistical nightmare’ for people who have to attend hearings, a North-East MP has warned.

Court buildings at Consett and Hartlepool would be mothballed under proposals unveiled by Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service today. (Thursday, July 16) Defendants, witnesses and victims would have to travel to Peterlee and Middlesbrough respectively as part of plans to streamline the criminal justice system.

Pat Glass, MP for north-west Durham, said: “This is devastating. I don’t think the Government has any understanding whatsoever about the distances involved and that people do not have chauffeur driven cars to take them to these places.

“It is a complete logistical nightmare for people to get from Consett to Peterlee.”

Consett is 26 miles away from Peterlee, a 50 minute car journey, and Hartlepool is 14 miles from Middlesbrough, 25 minutes by road.

Offenders due in court for morning sessions are required by law to answer bail at 9.30am.

To get to Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on public transport the defendant would have to leave Consett Bus Station at 7.23am to make a two hour five minute journey via Newcastle on two buses.

To make it to Middlesbrough to attend Teesside Magistrates’ Court, the defendant would have to leave Hartlepool Train Station at 8.05am for the 41 minute journey.

County Durham and Darlington Police and Crime Commissioner Ron Hogg, who is also chairman of Durham and Cleveland Criminal Justice Board, said: “I do not think it is realistic. Many of these people do not have their own transport and neither do many of victims and witnesses. Is this the way we should be delivering justice in the 21st century?”

Defence solicitor Paul Donoghue said the proposal would inevitably lead to people missing court appearances, which would lead to warrants being issued which would tie up police time as they would have to arrest defendants who do not attend.

He said: “It is inevitable, but it is a decision made by people who don’t care about the impact on anyone else.”

The buildings being consulted on represent 16 per cent of hearing rooms across in England and Wales, which are, on average, used for only a third of their available time.

Courts and Tribunals Minister Shailesh Vara said: “Access to justice is not just about attending court. As we bring in digital technology for better and more efficient access to justice, fewer people will need to physically be in a court.

“This means that we will need fewer buildings, and with many already underused and in poor quality, now is a good time to review the estate.”

The consultation will last for 12 weeks and will close on October 8.