Thames Valley Police have replied to a formal complaint about the handling of a trial by the Criminal Justice Department.
Matters against Didcot Town players Samuel Elkins and Callum McNish were dismissed at a hearing at Oxford Magistrates Court on January 18th after several witnesses did not attend.
Elkins and McNish were involved in an incident in a game against Hereford last year.
Following the complaint, an action plan to ensure that procedures were improved has been put into place.
This from Thames Valley Police:
As spoken on Monday, 29th January 2018 I have been passed the formal complaint you have made regarding the handling of a Trial by the Criminal Justice Department.
I am afraid I cannot comment on the ‘lack of identity of the defendants’, I can however, address the fact four witnesses failed to attend the Trial.
Originally on the 18th October 2017 letters warning you to attend the Trial at Oxford Magistrates Court on the 17th and 18th January 2018 at 09:30 were sent out. Followed up by telephone calls from the Witness Care Officer on the same day.
You kindly responded to her telephone call stating you could not commit to attendance until December and you were advised by her you would be called mid-December. She did call you again on the 5th December 2017 and she then sent an electronic communication to high light to the Crown Prosecution Service that you still could not commit to your attendance due to the nature of your work. At no point was a de-warning given to anyone involved in this Trial.
Two other witnesses were refusing to attend the Trial and another like yourself could not commit which was all highlighted to the Crown Prosecution Service. Ordinarily Witness summonses would have been served at this point to secure each individuals attendance however, the court felt it was inappropriate in this Trial.
Unfortunately on the 8th December 2017, the witness care officer was unexpectedly signed off long term sick not an excuse but a fact, hence no hand over of this Trial was completed and no courtesy calls were made which is key here, the Officer in the case has not been made aware of the issues and I take on board a more competent system needs to be put in place immediately.
At no point was the witness care unit advised of any change in the Trial date. Hence why the accommodation had been arranged for one witness.
Three witnesses attended the Trial in person on the 18th January 2018, Court and the Prosecutor were made aware on the day of the other witness issues.
I attach an Action Plan for the Witness Care Team leader and myself to deliver some robust training to avoid anything like this happening in the future, which I am aware you are not very impressed with.
I sincerely apologise for your bad experience of the process on behalf of the Witness Care Unit.
Yours Sincerely
Christine Moody C2120, Thames Valley Police Witness Care Manager, Criminal Justice Department, Tel: 01865 854298/101
Witness Care Unit
Reading Police Station
Castle Street
Reading
Berkshire
RG1 7TH
Tel: 01865 101
Email: witnesscareunit.tv@th