THE number of victims left waiting over two years for their case to come to court has more than doubled since 2021.
New figures from the Ministry of Justice show there are now over 6,500 crown court cases stuck in a 24-month backlog.
That’s more than double the 2,769 cases with two-year waits in 2021.
And it means that one in ten of the total backlog of outstanding crown court cases now have waits of two years or more.
The Lib Dems today said the ruse in long delays meant victims were facing “agonising waits” and criminals risked being let off the hook as trials collapse.
The party called on ministers to commit to halving the time from offence to sentencing, while opening extra temporary “Nightingale courtrooms” to boost capacity.
Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Alistair Carmichael said: “Thousands of crime victims are being left in legal limbo.
It is a national scandal that victims are facing agonising waits of two years or more before their cases reach court.
“As we roll into 2024, it’s shocking that some people have been waiting since 2021 or before for justice to finally be done.
“These long delays risk leading to more trials collapsing and more criminals being let off the hook.
“From unsolved crimes to court case delays, the Conservatives have lost control of law and order in this country.”