A JUDGE has criticised the legal aid agency and psychologists for a lack of professionalism that has led to lengthy delays in a case.
As we reported more than a year ago Jason Went, 25, of Cales Avenue, Malvern, admitted sexual offences against a child when she was 14.
In May 2022, Judge Martin Jackson delayed his sentence with a short adjournment for a pre-sentence report and a psychologist report.
During a hearing at Worcester Crown Court on Friday (June 2) Judge Jackson heard the pre-sentence report was completed, but the psychologist report still wasn't.
The judge heard of the catalogue of delays caused by the Legal Aid Agency taking time to appoint psychologists and, when appointed, the professionals cancelling appointments with Went.
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The judge heard the delays have had an impact on the victim in the case who wanted closure.
The judge said the delays were "scandalous" but the judge said he recognised none of it was the fault of Went or his defence team.
Despite the prosecution requesting to move to sentence, the judge said he would grant one final adjournment for the report adding it was a decision he had not taken lightly.
Went was told to return to the court on June 30 when he will finally be sentenced for three counts of attempting to cause or incite a child aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity and two counts of sexual activity with a child.
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