SECURITY Guard at Grays Magistrates Court Dave Bates doubles up as an Elvis Tribute Artist. He is very good, both as a guard and as a holder of the King’s flame.
Sometimes it is very busy as Dave can hear the jailhouse rock and sometimes the burden of bureaucracy must make Dave wish for a little less conversation and a little more action.
But now it seems it will be heartbreak (enough now..Ed) for Dave and the rest of the team as the court is set to close and the judicial business of the day will be transferred to Southend and Basildon.
The news stems from proposals set out by the Justice Minister, Kenneth Clarke, whose department has looked at court provision throughout the country.
They have identified 157 magistrates and county courts whose closure could save £15m a year.
The report says:
“Certain types of work from Mid South (Basildon) and South West (Grays) Essex have, over recent years, been listed across the two sites and Benches.
This is to improve the efficient use of staff and judicial resources and to maximise listing effectiveness.
“A joint court schedule has assisted greatly with this process and resulted in centralisation of certain work (road traffic, domestic violence, remands and committals).
“Magistrates from the South West (Grays) and Mid South (Basildon) Benches have recently indicated a willingness to consider merging their Benches.
“Grays courthouse (circa 1929) is in a poor state of repair and despite extensive improvements to the cells and the front of the building, the
accommodation is no longer fit to serve the modern criminal justice system.
Between these two courthouses (Basildon and Southend) there will be no difficulties in absorbing all of Grays workload and will provide improved accommodation and facilities to all court users. Both sites have video link to prisons and witness video link
facilities.
Questions will be asked whether the number of failures to attend and subsequent warrant issues will increase as accused will be unwilling to attend or be unable to afford to travel to Southend or Basildon.
