Delays to murder trials have soared 950% – thanks to crippling court backlogs

DELAYS to murder trials have soared 950 per cent – thanks to crippling court backlogs.

Covid lockdowns have led to 62 trials delayed in the last seven years, causing heartbreak for thousands of victims who have lost loved ones.

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Ministry of Justice stats show that the number of murder trials delayed has jumped from just 6 in 2015 to 62 in 2022.

And the number of crown court closures has reached 245 since 2010, Labour revealed.

The family of 21-year-old Gabriel Stoyanov, who was stabbed to death in South London last November, told The Sun they have been left “in agony” in a “painful” limbo as they wait for their case to come to court – and they can’t lay him to rest until it’s all over.

The trial for the three teenagers accused of his stabbing and killing has already been delayed from May to the end of July.

Heartbroken mum Marianna Stoyanov said: “It’s agony – hopefully that is the final date and there will be no more delays.

“Gab’s remains have not yet been laid to rest due to the fact that I cannot have a final death certificate until the trial is over.

“This is the only way I can repatriate my son’s remains to his home country and hold a memorial in his honour.”

Last night the party promised to boost crown prosecutors to slash the backlog and speed up vitally-needed justice.

The CPS’ 117 Associate Prosecutors would all be set to work tackling the record backlogs.

Labour’s Shadow Justice Secretary Steve Reed said: “After 13 years of Conservative failure, criminals are allowed to go unpunished, and victims are let down.

“The number of CPS staff and courts have collapsed under the Conservatives, with criminals getting off scot-free at a record rate.

“Labour is the party of law and order. We will increase the number of prosecutors to put criminals behind bars and speed up justice.”