CRIME victims face waits of up to two years due to the huge backlog of cases at Worcester Crown Court.
The farthest ahead hearing has been scheduled for June 19, 2028, according to Ministry of Justice data.
Earlier this month, the backlog of cases at the court was shown to have grown to almost 850.
An increase of seven hearings took place between December 2025 and March 2026, the Press Association found.
READ MORE: Backlog at Worcester Crown Court has grown to nearly 850 cases
Contrastingly, nearly half of crown courts in England and Wales reduced the size of their backlog during the timeframe.
Three courts – Ipswich, Maidstone and Truro – cut their backlog by 10% between December 2025 and March 2026.
Worcester was among 34 courts that saw a rise, the analysis of Ministry of Justice data shows.
The court had 847 open cases at the last count, up from 840.
In March 2025, the late Baroness Newlove said legal delays “deepen the trauma” for victims, taking a toll on their mental health, everyday lives and finances.
She said at the time: “I fear this will drive some victims to give up on seeking justice altogether – a second injustice compounding the first.”
Lady Newlove spoke after the publication of her report revealing the impact of crown court delays on victims, victim services and the wider criminal justice system.
The Law Society of England and Wales wants “investment and reform across the entire criminal justice system” to clear the books.
The former justice secretary David Lammy, who left his post during Andy Burnham’s reshuffle, had been trying to alleviate the backlog with proposals including defendants in England and Wales likely to receive a sentence of three years or less no longer getting a jury trial.
Magistrates would be given the power to impose longer sentences up to 18 months, an increase from 12 months.
Mr Lammy’s departure has brought doubts about the future of the proposals contained in the Courts and Tribunals Bill, which is currently passing through the House of Commons.
The new Prime Minister has said: “I have my concerns about the plan to restrict jury trials, partly from my personal experience, particularly Hillsborough.
“So I want to really look in detail at that proposal and my instincts are that we need to find ways of not reducing access to jury trial.
“I want to get inside these issues before I confirm any of the plans that I inherited and, in fact, probably looking for changes.”
