TV link for child witnesses

Young witnesses give court evidence via a TV screen

A new project to spare young witnesses the ordeal of appearing before court has been introduced in Durham.

The scheme is aimed at witnesses aged between 10 and 17 and is thought to be one of the first of its kind.

It centres on a specially-designed video suite created in the offices of the Victim Support and Witness Service, which are close to the main entrance of Durham Crown Court.

The suite can transmit and receive images directly from the court room - the system is also linked to every crown court in the country.

'Real benefit'

Trudi Ranson, of Victim Support County Durham, said: "This will make a fantastic difference to the young people are able to give evidence to courts.

"It is something the criminal justice system has been crying out for a long time.

"To be able to site something as unique as this in Durham has been a real benefit for witnesses."

Youngsters who use the system will be get counselling from trained staff should they need it.

The suite is able to transmit high-speed images into courtrooms which can then be viewed by juries and judges.