Tuesday 11th January saw my third and final Court Service, marking the opening of the Hilary Term at the Crown Court in Stafford.
With the emergence of the Omicron Varient a visit to the courts was not possible, so once again HHJ Kristina Montgomery spoke in church, rather than in the Court Building. She reflected on the rising incidences of violence against women being seen both in the courts and the press, and her particular concerns over this. While this topic is deeply troubling it was heartening to hear of some of the steps being taken to accelerate prosecutions and the focus being brought on cases of this nature.
