A DAY in the life of Worcester Magistrates Court is to be beamed across the world on a new website aimed at helping witnesses to become acquainted with the legal process.

Camera crews from the Home Office visited the Castle Street building on Friday to snap staff and volunteer "stooges" as they staged a mock trial.

Designed as a "virtual tour", the stills aim to give potential witnesses an insight into a hearing, and understand video links, the role of magistrates, lawyers, clerks and other court staff.

Worcester, which has the only video link in the West Midlands, was picked to represent the magistrates courts system after the success of a similar project for crown courts, which featured a running commentary by veteran Radio One DJ and Radio Four's Home Truths presenter John Peel.

The new site will go live later this year and Victim Support also plans to feature the stills in their picture library.

Services

Witness Service co-ordinator at Worcester, Paul Tibble, who wrote to the Home Office offering their services, said the site would be extremely helpful for witnesses.

"Coming to court can be like stepping on to the moon," he said.

"It's very official and frightening, and many do not understand what is going on.

"If they could look at it beforehand, it would be less stressful."

He said they had already conducted 20 video trials, where witnesses give evidence from a separate room, and a lot of cases from across Herefordshire and Worcestershire had been referred there because of the facilities.

But he said the link-up had prompted mixed feelings.

"Some advocates think it takes away the up, close and personal element but we are here to meet the needs of the witnesses and are ultimately sympathetic to them.

"I think it's a very good thing."