Holding court (From Surrey Comet)

Holding court

11:14am Friday 10th September 2004 in News

Appearing as a witness in court can often be a frightening experience. SIMEON BRODY looks at the volunteers helping to make the ordeal less traumatic.

"The great majority of witnesses have never been in a court in their lives or even a police station.

"Their only knowledge of it will be Rumpole or Kavanagh QC or that dreadful Judge John Deed. So they don't know what's behind those doors."

Colin motions in the general direction of the heavy wooden doors opening on to one of the courtrooms at Kingston Magistrates' Court.

Volunteers like Colin play an important role in dispelling some of the myths and calming peoples' fears about giving evidence in court.

Colin joined the court's witness service when it was set up three years ago and has provided a reassuring presence for defence and prosecution witnesses and their families since then.

Along with nine other volunteers, the 62-year-old explains to witnesses how courts work and takes them on a tour of one of the courtrooms before they have to give evidence.

The volunteers provide independent advice and have access to a secure waiting area for those frightened of intimidation. Particularly vulnerable witnesses can be advised about how to give evidence via video link or from behind a screen.

"The earlier we can start to provide information the more comfortable the witness will be in court," explains the service manager Neil McAlpine.

The service was set up to deal with the growing number of cases which were failing because witnesses or victims were reluctant to give evidence in court.

And since the service was introduced, the number of failed trials has dropped, says Mr McAlpine.

He cites the example of a young woman who had been assaulted on a Kingston estate who was initially too scared to give evidence.

"She was very concerned about giving evidence because of the peer pressure she was experiencing that all youngsters do in a close community like that. She was going to give evidence behind screens and we had been supporting her, but even then it reached a stage where she ran away from court.

"The court was adjourned and when she was found she came back to court and we spent a long time talking to her.

"Eventually she went in and gave her evidence. If the witness service hadn't been there, I'm in no doubt that the trial would have failed."

The service is funded by Victim Support, and following the trial the woman was offered ongoing support from the charity if she wanted it.

Interestingly, Mr McAlpine does not remember the outcome of the trial but says in some way that reflects the nature of the witness service.

Independent of the court itself, it only concerns itself with the welfare of witnesses, victims and often the families of defendants, who can be as traumatised by the proceedings as anyone else.

Gina has just become a volunteer after being at the receiving end of a similar service when she attended a hearing into her husband's death at Kingston Crown Court.

"It is quite a surreal experience if you've never been to court before," says the 50-year-old. "Just knowing there's a friendly face somewhere makes a lot of difference. I found it very helpful and it gave me the idea to volunteer,"

"It's a bit like giving blood," she adds. "Everyone expects there to be blood when there's an accident but very few people think about being a donor."

And the witness service always needs more volunteers. It will provide training and expenses and requires a minimum commitment of one working day every two weeks.

But the work is rewarding says Colin. "If you've helped to get somebody through their day in court and they say thanks, that makes up for any other frustrations.

"Most say they hope never to see us again, but in the nicest possible way!"

For information call Neil McAlpine on 020 8549 6457.