Delays to murder trials have soared 950 per cent – thanks to crippling court backlogs

Murder trial delays are up 950 percent thanks to crippling court backlogs.

The coronavirus lockdowns have resulted in 62 court cases being postponed over the past seven years, causing deep grief for thousands of victims who have lost loved ones.

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Statistics from the Department of Justice show that the number of delayed murder trials has increased from just 6 in 2015 to 62 in 2022.

And the number of crown court closures has reached 245 since 2010, Labor said.

The family of 21-year-old Gabriel Stoyanov, who was stabbed to death in south London last November, told The Sun they were left “agonizingly” in a “painful” state of limbo as they waited for their case to come to trial – and they can’t get him to rest until it’s all over.

The trial of the three teenagers he accused of stabbing and murder has been postponed from May to the end of July.

Heartbroken mother Marianna Stoyanov said: “It’s agony – hopefully this is the final date and there will be no further delays.”

“Gab’s remains have not yet been interred as I am unable to obtain a definitive death certificate by the end of the trial.

“This is the only way I can transfer my son’s remains to his home country and erect a memorial in his honor.”

Last night the party pledged to boost the number of crown prosecutors to help cut the backlog and speed up much-needed justice.

The CPS’s 117 assistant prosecutors would all set about clearing the record backlog.

Steve Reed, Labor shadow justice secretary, said: “After 13 years of Conservative failure, criminals are getting away with it and victims are being left in the lurch.”

“CPS staff and court numbers have collapsed under Conservatives, and criminals are getting away with it in record numbers.”

“Labor is the law and order party. We will increase the number of prosecutors to put criminals behind bars and speed up justice.”