GLOUCESTER Crown Court has the biggest backlog of cases in its history - even though it has recently transferred 60 to Bristol, a judge has revealed.

Speaking last Tuesday, November 18, Judge William Hart said if the number of courtrooms at Gloucester was doubled from two to four they might be able to catch up with the outstanding list of cases.

He spoke out after Katrina Morrison, aged 27, of Cotswold Road, Stroud, appeared charged with assault causing actual bodily harm by biting. She denies the offences.

A trial date had been listed for November 27 but Judge Hart said it was ‘highly unlikely’ to take place on that day due to the backlog.

“We have more outstanding cases than ever in our history,” he said.