The Court of Appeal used video technology for the first time last week in a pilot scheme that the Court Service hopes will become standard practice.

In a link-up with Hull prison, three appeals against sentences were heard without the need for prisoners to be transported to London.


Appeals: practice to change

A Court Service spokesman said: 'Use of this new technology avoided prisoners being taken under escort to London from Hull and brought considerable savings for the Prison Service and taxpayer.

'It is hoped that appeal hearings by video link from the Royal Courts of Justice become standard practice where there is a security risk surrounding an appellant's attendance in court, or where significant savings to taxpayers' money can be made.'


He added: 'Appellants from all over England and Wales are entitled to be present in court at the hearing of their appeal, generally held at the Royal Courts of Justice.'


All three hearings were settled on the same day. In the first, a nine-year custodial sentence for a drugs offence was cut to six years following a barrister's representations by video link. The second case, an appeal relating to an offence of


violence, saw a sentence reduced from three years and eight months to two years. The third appeal, against a three-year sentence and restraint order for possession of indecent photographs, was dismissed.