More victims of rape will be spared the stress of giving evidence during a trial after justice bosses announced courts across Greater Manchester will be allowed to admit pre-recorded evidence.
The so-called section 28 measure is already being used in parts of England but it was only introduced in Greater Manchester today (Wednesday), with Manchester's two crown courts as well as the crown court in Bolton among ten venues joining the scheme.
It allows alleged victims and witnesses of crimes such as rape and modern slavery to have their cross-examination video-recorded in court and played later during trial proper in front of a jury. It means evidence is heard earlier while events are fresher and alleged victims avoid the stress of giving evidence in the live trial.
