Sunday, December 21, 2014

'Embarrassed' judge told murder trial jurors to bring packed lunches due to government cuts

An 'embarrassed' judge told jurors at a murder trial at Northampton Crown Court to bring their own packed lunches to court because of government cuts. Judge Rupert Mayo told the jury that no catering facilities had been arranged.



On Wednesday, Judge Mayo said: "I am almost too embarrassed to tell you that that's the housekeeping rules tomorrow." HM Courts Service said a contract for the provision of on-site catering services had expired in August.

Judge Mayo had told jurors on the Stanley Harrison murder trial that the Ministry of Justice had cut funding so much that no catering facilities could be arranged. He said: "Bring a packed lunch tomorrow so that you can have lunch when you like." A spokesman for HM Courts & Tribunals Service said a national contract with caterers Eurest had expired on 31 August.



He said the service had "considered bids from national, regional and local companies to provide services after that date. Negotiations for a new catering contract at Northampton Crown Court are ongoing." For the first 10 days of their service, jurors are entitled to an allowance of £5.71 a day for food and drink if their day does not go beyond 10 hours.

4 comments:

Ratz said...

Whilst the Oxford city councilors are giving themselves a 19% raise.

arbroath said...

Are they really?

Blimey, it's alright for some.

Ratz said...

Yep! One particular abscess claims it works 18h per day 6 days per week and that's why he deserves it. I guess if you can't be smart, you have to work really hard to cock things up that badly.

arbroath said...

Haha! :)