A JUDGE has hit out at Gwent's Crown Prosecution Service over an "escalating problem" of delays to cases.

Judge David Morris identified Newport as having a particular problem with the time it takes some cases to come to trial.

He called on the CPS to draw up new guidelines to speed up the system.

He was irate at having to adjourn cases because counsel were waiting for reports on defendants to be submitted.

Mr Morris said waiting for documents from the police and hospitals was a particular problem.

"The CPS will have to do something about this escalating problem," he said.

Mr Morris said he had raised the issue with the Recorder of Cardiff, who also sits as the Recorder of Newport, Judge John Griffith Williams QC.

Newport solicitor Gareth Driscoll backed up Mr Morris's claims.

"It's usually the solicitors who get the blame," he said.

"The CPS cannot cope with the workload which results in delays with cases."

Mr Driscoll said the police were slow but doctors producing medical reports, sometimes understandably, took longer.

He said: "It depends on what sort of medical report is requested."

Mr Driscoll said some demanded a more in-depth analysis of the defendant.

"It is costing the public money and it is causing many people who deny charges to be remanded longer."

Mr Driscoll did not think it was just a Gwent problem.

He said: "I think you will find it's nationwide. I really don't know how to ease the problem - create more staff?"

A spokesman for the CPS said an action plan was in place to speed up cases and the police and the CPS are trying to tackle the problem.