Hundreds of rapist, murder and drug dealer suspects have been freed on bail under cuts after the government slashed the number of days sitting at the crown court

Hundreds of suspects in prison awaiting trial on rape, murder and drug trafficking charges could be released on bail under cuts to court cases.

Lord Justice Green, the chief justice for England and Wales, has warned judges they will have to make “difficult decisions” after the government cut the number of sitting days at the crown court, delaying hearings across the country.

Judges must consider releasing suspects awaiting trial, as they can only remain in custody for a maximum of six months.

This comes after Justice Minister Shabana Mahmood rejected a request from Chief Justice Dame Sue Carr to fund an increase in the number of sitting days to allow criminal courts to operate at full capacity to clear the backlog of cases.

Lady Justice Carr (pictured) was appointed Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales on 15 June 2023

Last week, the Justice Department confirmed that 404 court days involving part-time judges would be canceled by March 31.

As a result, “a great many trials and other hearings” would be delayed, the judges were told.

In a leaked letter to judges, Lord Green expressed concern and suggested judges would be put in the awkward position of having to weigh up whether to release a dangerous suspect on bail or keep him behind bars for longer than the legal term.

He wrote: “Judges will have to make some difficult decisions.” Yesterday, former Lord Chancellor Sir Robert Buckland KC criticized the decision, saying Labor’s cost-cutting measure would only add to the current backlog of 80,000 cases.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “The government has increased the number of sitting days to a total of 106,500 – more than in six of the last seven years… and is committed to reducing the backlog in the crown courts.”

He said: “This government, for example, has chosen to give train drivers an inflation-busting pay bonus, but is still prepared to give free rein to people accused of serious crimes who should be in custody awaiting trial.”

“Courtrooms that should be dealing with criminals are lying empty.” Judges believe this move could delay rape trials by more than two years in some cases.

The decision will only increase pressure on the ailing criminal justice system after ministers recently allowed the early release of 5,500 inmates convicted of less serious crimes to make room in overcrowded prisons.

17,070 defendants are in custody for serious crimes – the highest number in 50 years.

Mary Prior KC, chair of the Criminal Bar Association, said last night: “Cuts in sitting days may save a limited amount of money in one budget, but in others it will increase costs.”

The real cost is that people stop believing in justice – they may wonder what the point of reporting a crime is if it takes between four and six years to go to trial.”

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “The government has increased the number of sitting days to a total of 106,500 – more than in six of the last seven years… and is committed to reducing the backlog in the crown courts.”