Allowing rape complainants to pre-record their evidence to spare the trauma of a court appearance should be put on hold because of “serious concern” that it makes juries less likely to convict suspects, the country’s top judge has told MPs.
The Lady Chief Justice, Dame Sue Carr, said there should be a “pause” in the scheme, known as Section 28, following research showing a “significant” decline in the proportion of guilty verdicts in cases where the recorded testimony was used.
