Worcester judge brings in alleged victim to apologise for trial delays

At the start of the expected trial of Franscesca Rowlands at Worcester Crown Court on Tuesday, (August 9), prosecutor Abigail Nixon said Rowlands was not in attendance, and neither was a legal representative for her. 

Rowlands, 36, of Portishead, Bristol, is accused of one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm on November 26, 2020.

APOLOGY: A judge apologised to an alleged victim at Worcester Crown Court (Image: Hereford Times)

Miss Nixon told Judge Martin Butterworth that Rowlands was represented by Lee Egan but he was involved in another trial and there was no one to stand in for him. 

As part of ongoing national strike action, the criminal bar is implementing a ‘no returns’ policy, meaning barristers have agreed not to accept cases that are returned by colleagues who have a diary clash.

With the trial unable to go ahead the judge asked for the alleged victim, who had attended court, to be brought in so he could speak to him. 

'It is not what anybody wants' judge tells alleged victim after trial delay

After entering courtroom three the judge said: "I have asked you to come in so that I can apologise for the situation that has arisen.

"I'm afraid it (the trial) is having to be put off today.

"It is not what anybody wants - these are difficult times.

"The bar is taking (strike) action, on which I will say nothing - it is not my position to make any comment about that."

The judge added he had some sympathy for the defendant's non-appearance as Rowlands would have been notified late of the trial on Monday, (August 8).

He issued a warrant for Rowlands to attend the trial which was scheduled for the week of October 10.