Public judge in game show justice

Members of the public are being given quiz show-style keypads to decide the fate of criminals in an experiment in Greater Manchester.

The "You be the Judge" event is giving people in Cheadle, Stockport the chance to hear real cases and decide on the sentence they feel fits the crime.

Organisers hope the event will help the public understand how magistrates and judges arrive at their decisions.

It has been organised by the Stockport Local Criminal Justice Group.

'Excellent opportunity'

The cases are being presented to the panel, made up of residents from the area, by a crown court judge, magistrates and other members of the criminal justice system.

All cases are real but have key elements changed to protect the identities of those involved.

After the sentencing decisions are made, the judge will read out the real verdict and explain how the decisions were reached.

Stockport Council's Head of Community Safety, Steve Brown, said: "This event is an excellent opportunity for people to gain an understanding of the factors which affect court sentences.

"We want to give people a greater understanding of how and why judges and magistrates make sentencing decisions."