Bolton Crown Court has been temporarily closed on safety grounds. The court in Bolton town centre, which also houses the magistrates court, was closed earlier today due to an issue with 'lighting'.
One source told the Manchester Evening News that court users had been informed there was a 'risk of collapse' within the building. A trial involving alleged sexual offences which was being held at the crown court had to be transferred to Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court, about 15 miles away.
Cases due to be heard today were adjourned and no cases are listed to be held at Bolton Crown Court tomorrow (Tues), with further cases being held at Minshull Street instead.
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It comes as barristers enter a third week of strike action regarding pay and the current state of the criminal justice system. A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: "Due to an issue with lighting at Bolton Combined Court we have temporarily closed the building as a precaution to keep people safe.
"Hearings will be transferred to other sites where possible today and tomorrow and we will provide further updates in due course. We apologise for any inconvenience caused."
In a recent interview with the M.E.N ., leading QC Nina Grahame said: "The court buildings are crumbling, some are better than others, some are leaking and literally falling apart. The system is underfunded from start to finish, we're just the people who come in at the end of it."
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