BOLTON Crown Court is facing an increasing backlog of cases, new figures show.

A Parliamentary report has warned the pandemic has left the courts system in “crisis”, with a backlog of cases that will take years to clear.

Ministry of Justice (MoJ) figures show Bolton Crown Court had 496 outstanding cases at the end of December.

This was up 17.8 per cent from late September and 63.7 per cent at the end of 2019, when there were 303.

The Lords Constitution Committee has urged the Government to set out plans, including new funding, to stop public confidence in the justice system being undermined.

Across England and Wales, the number of outstanding crown court cases swelled to 56,827 in December, up 11 per cent compared to September and 49 per cent higher than the same point in 2019.

Some lawyers have said they are already seeing trials being listed for 2023.

Bar Council chairman Derek Sweeting QC said the Goverment needed to invest in more courts capacity.

An MoJ spokesman said: "We are spending £450m to deliver speedier justice for victims and this is already having an impact.

"Outstanding magistrates’ cases have fallen by 50,000 since last summer and crown court cases reached pre-Covid levels in December.

“More jury trials are being heard every week, with video hearings and new Nightingale courts boosting capacity while we invest record amounts in victim support.”

Dame Vera Baird, the Victim's Commissioner, said victim hubs were under increasing pressure due to delays in the justice system.

"They are carrying higher caseloads as victims remain in the justice system for longer.

"Hub staff are also having to work harder to persuade victims not to withdraw from supporting the prosecution as a result of delays."