A REVIEW into the future of Skipton Magistrates’ Court is underway after complaints that cases are being moved as far away as Scarborough - forcing some to undertake a round journey of around 200 miles

The review has been launched by Craven District Council’s select committee after concerns were raised that local justice is “under threat” with hearings being sent to other courts including Harrogate and York.

Magistrates currently sit at the law courts in Skipton just every other Friday and mainly deal with guilty pleas. No trials take place in Skipton and are instead held in Harrogate, York, or Scarborough. In addition, in cases when sentencing cannot take place immediately, for example if a pre-sentence report is needed, it will be moved to another court to take place at another time.

Not only alleged offenders are faced with journeys of up to 200 miles - for people from Bentham travelling to Scarborough - but also witnesses involved in a trial.

Councillor David Staveley told a recent council meeting that people deserved answers on why they are being “traipsed” around North Yorkshire.

Cllr Staveley also criticised court officials who he said had shown “very little interest” in attending a first meeting as part of the review.

Cllr Staveley said: “It is very disappointing the response that we have had from some of the officers within the judicial system.

“Considering they are indeed public servants as we are… I have to say I think the onus is on them to turn up.

“We are asking them to come and give an account of themselves.”

The HM Courts and Tribunals Service, which administers the work of all magistrates’ courts, has been contacted for comment.

Skipton Magistrates’ Court has not had any scheduled trial time since during the Covid pandemic under changes which have been described by councillors as “absolute lunacy”.

This comes after the court twice survived closure threats, most recently in 2010 when the axe fell on nine of Yorkshire’s courthouses but Skipton was spared after a campaign backed by MP Julian Smith, magistrates and solicitors.

The HM Courts and Tribunals Service previously said the changes introduced during the pandemic were to ensure cases could be heard “safely and with minimum delay”.

It also said no decision had been taken to permanently remove criminal trials away from Skipton and that “special arrangements” can be made to hear trials locally.

However, councillors say they still have unanswered questions about the court’s future and will hold a series of meetings as part of their review which will run over five months.

The next meeting will be held on October 20.